Bayer Leverkusen eye free-transfer swoop for Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka

Leverkusen have entered the race to sign outgoing Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer this summer, according to Sport Bild. The 30-year-old confirmed he will leave the Bundesliga leaders upon the expiry of his contract in June, and the BayArena club view him as a potential leadership successor to Granit Xhaka, who left for Sunderland last summer.

Sporting director Simon Rolfes and the Leverkusen hierarchy believe Goretzka’s trophy-laden résumé and dressing-room influence could fill the void left by the Swiss international, even though Aleix Garcia remains the tactical like-for-like replacement on the pitch. Coach Xabi Alonso currently has Garcia, Robert Andrich, Equi Fernandez, Exequiel Palacios and youngster Ibrahim Maza at his disposal, yet none possess Goretzka’s blend of Bundesliga pedigree and winning mentality.

Financial hurdles cloud the proposition. Goretzka’s current salary at the Allianz Arena sits well beyond Leverkusen’s wage structure, forcing the club to weigh a significant pay cut against the value of his experience. Personal preference adds another layer of complexity: the Germany international is leaning toward a fresh challenge in England, with Arsenal and Manchester United monitoring his situation, while Spanish and Italian sides have also registered interest.

For Leverkusen, the appeal is clear. After Xhaka’s exit, the squad lacks a vocal, serial winner to guide a youthful dressing room through domestic and European campaigns. Goretzka, who has been marginalised at times in Munich, could reignite his career in a leading role without a transfer fee attached. Whether the club can craft a financial package to compete with Premier League interest will determine if the Werkself can pull off one of the summer’s most intriguing Bosman moves.