\n<\/p>\n
Arsenal have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of a Champions League-winning midfielder, with Manchester United now understood to be the frontrunners to land his signature.<\/p>\n
The Gunners may be embroiled in an intense Premier League title race, but sporting director Andrea Berta isn\u2019t prepared to rest on his laurels. The Italian is already drawing up transfer plans for the summer, with the likes of Julian Alvarez and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia being heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates.<\/p>\n
Alvarez has been earmarked as the potential marquee addition, although the North Londoners are looking to add a few more squad pieces to bolster the overall depth of Mikel Arteta\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n
Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice have been overburdened with minutes this season, and Arsenal are now starting to pay the price for this. Both midfielders have shown signs of fatigue, negatively impacting their performance levels, while Christian Norgaard hasn\u2019t been trusted to take minutes off the pair.<\/p>\n
Thus, it\u2019s no surprise that the Gunners have identified this as an area of concern that they need to address in the summer window. While the likes of Sandro Tonali and Elliott Anderson are linked with lucrative moves to North London, a more cost-efficient signing is also being explored.<\/p>\n
Leon Goretzka is on Arsenal\u2019s radar, with the German set to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season when his contract expires. It\u2019s said that Arteta is a huge admirer of Goretzka and is interested in bringing the player to the Emirates on a free transfer.<\/p>\n
\nLeon Goretzka is leaving FC Bayern in the summer after eight successful years. Until then, we will do everything we can to win more titles together! Pack it up, @leongoretzka_<\/a>! 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com\/jGzuvuzT6N<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayern) January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
However, Gazzetta dello Sport<\/a> claims that Arsenal\u2019s Premier League rivals United have already \u2018made a move\u2019 for the 31-year-old. The Red Devils are set to lose veteran midfielder Casemiro at the end of the season, and they view Goretzka as a viable replacement.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s believed that United\u2019s ability to offer the Champions League winner a more lucrative contract and more regular minutes means that they currently lead the race to land the free agent. <\/p>\n
Arsenal shouldn\u2019t move for Leon Goretzka anyway<\/h2>\n
Goretzka is understood to be demanding a salary in the region of \u20ac7 million-a-year, which equates to roughly \u00a3117,000-a-week. While this isn\u2019t an extortionate sum for a player of his calibre, it\u2019s significant enough for Arsenal to pass on the opportunity to sign him, even if they can secure him without paying a transfer fee.<\/p>\n
\n