Manchester United could be set for a major breakthrough in January as Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka edges closer to leaving the club. Man Utd are known admirers of Goretzka, but the Germany midfielder had wanted to stay at the Allianz Arena despite not featuring in their plans for this season under Vincent Kompany.
In order to slim down the club’s wage bill, Bayern Munich actively shopped a number of experienced veterans this summer. Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui each made a successful transfer to Manchester United while Leon Goretzka and Kingsley Coman were unable to complete a deal.
Goretzka has played just once in the Bundesliga this season although did score late on in the 9-2 Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb this week. According to Bundesliga journalist Christian Falk, Goretzka refused to leave this summer in order to fight for his place despite Bayern’s attempts to move him on. Falk has said recent deals between Man Utd and Bayern for the likes of Noussair Mazraoui and Mattijs de Ligt may open the door for an agreement to be reached.
Erik ten Hag had been searching for more midfield reinforcements this summer before the signing of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. Lille defender Leny Yoro and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, who spent time at Bayern earlier in his career, also arrived this summer.
The third time’s the charm, as they say, but for Manchester United’s dealing with Bayern Munich, the first two times were successful too! After landing Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window, Manchester United have been told they have a ‘big chance’ of a third successful raid, this time in January.
Both De Ligt and Mazraoui have been successes in their early days at Old Trafford so far, with the latter, in particular, emerging as United’s best summer signing. De Ligt has also shaken off international troubles to become a leader at the back as Erik ten Hag’s team continues to grow. Their performances seem to have washed away the stench of Bastian Schweinsteiger’s failure at the club, with United given encouragement for a move for another Bayern player in January.
Manchester United’s midfield suddenly looks a lot better after Christian Eriksen’s return to form and Casemiro playing off the bench. Toby Collyer provides a steady, if youthful hand, while Mason Mount’s return will further strengthen the ranks. However, a cursory look at the contract situation makes it clear that it is a position that will need addressing again in the summer. That is because Eriksen’s contract expires in 2025, while Casemiro will be perenially on the transfer list until he leaves. Collyer will need time to show that he can be relied upon every week to be a squad presence so outside of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte, the midfield looks fairly slim.
Enter Leon Goretzka, the Champions League winner at Bayern who has had one foot out of the exit door for a while now. Christian Falk reports in his Daily Briefing on Substack that United were previously interested in Goretzka’s services and after a good summer of dealing with the German club, there’s a ‘big chance’ that it will happen in January if United come knocking. He said: “Manchester United were previously interested in his services and they’ve seen that they can make good deals with Bayern Munich having landed both Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in the summer. They also have Joshua Zirkzee who was a quasi-Bayern player in the sense that United paid a fee to them for his transfer. I think they know that Bayern Munich players have quality and he would be a good fit, plus they were interested previously. I am sure if they need someone in midfield in the winter window, and were to knock on Bayern’s door, there’s a big chance.”
While the idea of going for Goretzka after successfully dealing for De Ligt and Mazraoui sounds enticing they are two very different circumstances. De Ligt and Mazraoui are 26 and 26, respectively, while Goretzka will turn 30 a month after January transfer window. Furthermore, he is a player who has already played a lot of football since breaking through at a young age with FC Schalke. Therefore, it is fairly easy to assume that he is arguably already in his decline, which will only be further accelerated with him not playing much for Bayern. The Germans have him in the same position as Casemiro is at United, but at least the Brazilian is not completely out of favour.
He will presumably come on big wages too, and after adding all that up, it’s difficult to not think about this deal as another Casemiro situation. At least the Brazilian gave United one bonafide world-class season, his first, but his decline since then has made him an albatross on the books. Even that one season isn’t a guarantee with Goretzka as he’s already on the downside. Therefore, United would do well to steer clear of that deal even though there’s a big chance it will happen if they go in for him. This has Bayern trying to offload him a la Schweinsteiger written all over it. No tears will be shed in Germany if he leaves.
In a recent interview (via @caughtoffside), reporter Christian Falk said, “Manchester United were previously interested in [Goretzka’s] services and they’ve seen that they can make good deals with Bayern Munich having landed both Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in the summer. They also have Joshua Zirkzee who was a quasi-Bayern player in the sense that United paid a fee to them for his transfer. I think they know that Bayern Munich players have quality and he would be a good fit, plus they were interested previously. I am sure if they need someone in midfield in the winter window, and were to knock on Bayern’s door, there’s a big chance.”
To make this work, Goretzka would likely have to accept at least a 50% pay cut. Bayern would also need to accept something in the €15-20M range, well below his Transfermarkt estimated value of €30M. Luckily, he joined Bayern on a free transfer back in 2018 so the club would still be coming out ahead from a financial standpoint if they can clear his salary off the books.
German journalist Christian Falk has had his say on the possibility of Leon Goretzka joining United next year. He shared his belief that the Reds' relationship with Bayern Munich could make a deal happen. Falk told The Daily Briefing: “Manchester United were previously interested in his services and they’ve seen that they can make good deals with Bayern Munich having landed both Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in the summer. They also have Joshua Zirkzee who was a quasi-Bayern player in the sense that United paid a fee to them for his transfer. I think they know that Bayern Munich players have quality and he would be a good fit, plus they were interested previously. I am sure if they need someone in midfield in the winter window, and were to knock on Bayern’s door, there’s a big chance.”
United are supposedly interested in signing academy graduate Angel Gomes years after he left the club. According to reports, United are among a host of clubs exploring the possibility of signing Gomes next summer. The midfielder's contract at Lille is set to expire next year, and there is no sign of an extension being agreed.
