Leon Goretzka is reportedly open to a move to Manchester United.
(Image: Photo by S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images)

Leon Goretzka Manchester United transfer stance 'clear' as January 'preference' emerges

18 Oct 2024, 17:30 by Stephen Killen · Manchester Evening News

Manchester United could be an option for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag has previously raided the Bundesliga giants, luring Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window. Joshua Zirkzee, a product of the Bavarian academy, also made the move to the Premier League after a standout campaign for Italian side, Bologna.

Speculation over Goretzka's future has intensified in recent weeks as he enters the final 18 months of his contract at the Allianz Arena. The 29-year-old has made 224 appearances for the record-German top-flight holders but this season has been reduced to just one league appearance - and a further two in the Champions League - under new manager Vincent Kompany.

With uncertainty surrounding the German international's future and talk over a possible January move, Christian Falk has told Caught Offside that Goretzka does not want to leave the club in January but if the situation doesn't change next summer, United would be an option that he would like to join.

He wrote: "United is still very attractive in Germany and for Bayern Munich players who are already of a high level.

"Leon Goretzka - yes, I think it could be a step for him next summer. He doesn’t want to leave the club in the winter window, that’s his most recent decision.

"Next summer, if the situation at Bayern Munich doesn’t change, Manchester United would be one of the clubs he’d like to join. He’s currently earning about €17m (£14m) a year."

There is still over two months until the January transfer window opens and it remains to be seen what United's ambitions will be in the market. Ten Hag is facing pressure as they sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table.