Manchester United are said to have an advantage in the race to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka this summer, according to reports.
Man United are planning a big midfield rebuild this summer, which could see at least two new faces arrive in the position, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.
Working out who those two are going to be is now up to United chiefs, with the potential of qualifying for next season's Champions League potentially affecting who they will target and how much they are able to spend.
Caretaker boss Michael Carrick has put the Red Devils in a strong position to return to Europe's elite club competition for the first time since the 2023-24 season, with United currently sitting in third position in the Premier League standings.
With seven matches of the season to play, and no other distractions in Europe or domestic cup competitions, they sit six points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, with a top-five finish expected to be enough to secure a spot in the Champions League next term because of their strong coefficient.
Man United 'Make Moves' for Leon Goretzka Deal
Leon Goretzka
Goretzka, who currently earns £300,000-a-week at the Allianz Arena, looks set to leave Bayern when his contract expires this summer, having fallen down the pecking order of the Bundesliga defending champions.
Both United and Arsenal are said to have 'made moves' to bring the 31-year-old to the Premier League this summer, with the Red Devils holding an advantage over the Gunners for the player as he believes he has a better chance of cementing a starting spot in the club's midfield.
The German is willing to take a pay cut to join the right club, with United seemingly exploring a deal despite their preference being to bring in players with Premier League experience.
Goretzka Would be a Better Signing Than Tonali
Sandro Tonali
While United are 'working hard' to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Fabrizio Romano, Goretzka would be a better addition in the centre of the park.
Firstly, the 31-year-old would help replace the experience and leadership of Casemiro, with the Brazilian leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season when his contract expires.
While he has seen his game time reduced under Vincent Kompany this term, he has still made 37 appearances across all competitions for Bayern to show his importance.
Goretzka has also made more than 300 appearances for Bayern and over 70 outings in the Champions League, which could prove priceless for United and whoever their permanent manager is next season.
As well as winning the Champions League with Bayern, he has also won the Bundesliga on six occasions, and he knows what is needed for a team to win a league title - something that United could be looking towards in the next few years.
While United's main preference appears to be on looking at midfielders with Premier League experience like Tonali, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, who is their number one target above Tonali, Goretzka would be a smart addition, even if it was alongside one of those.
With reports suggesting that Tonali could cost £100m, signing Goretzka on a free transfer on a reduced wage could be a no-brainer given the experience and quality he would bring.
United chiefs now just need to decide if he is worth moving away from their new transfer strategy of targeting players around their mid-20s, but the fact they've made contact over a deal would suggest they are more than considering it.