Report: Barcelona eyeing €70 million-rated German superstar | OneFootball

Barcelona midfield finally seems to be on the right track with the inclusion of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong beside Sergio Busquets. However, it is certainly stretched thin with Riqui Puig, Ilaix Moriba, and Miralem Pjanic as the backups. It is likely that two of these three would not even be here after June.

As such, Mundo Deportivo have reported that Barcelona are eyeing Leon Goretzka as a future transfer. The German has encountered a troublesome contract situation at Bayern Munich, with his deal expiring in 2022. The two parties are clashing heads on his renewal and salary.

In more ways than one, Goretzka’s name is not alien to Barça. The club were reportedly in for him when he was making waves at Schalke but could not match Bayern’s pull for Germans. Now, with just a year left on his contract, he could leave for free for the second time in his career.

As a midfielder, the German can play multiple positions but is best utilised in a box-to-box role. He has a knack for making late runs into the box and getting into superb scoring areas. Last season in the Bundesliga, Goretzka scored five goals and assisted five in 24 games — his third consecutive season with at least ten direct goal contributions.

Goretzka’s contract length could mean he will be available for a very discounted price, probably under €35 million, much like Thiago Alcantara last season. If the transfer goes through, it could add some much-needed diversity to Barcelona’s midfield sooner or later.

That said, it seems inevitable that Goretzka renews his contract. Exit rumours to foreign clubs in the last year of the contract are a trend and often a way for agents to get the host club to increase their offer.