According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United is closely monitoring the situation of German midfielder Leon Goretzka as Bayern Munich shows interest in signing West Ham captain Declan Rice this summer.
The Red Devils are looking to strengthen their options at the centre of the field during the upcoming transfer window, with Chelsea’s Mason Mount being their priority target.
However, they have not reached an agreement with the English star as the club is hesitant to pay more than £50 million, while the Blues is seeking £70 million plus add-ons for the English midfielder. If talks with Chelsea fail, Goretzka could be considered as an alternative.
Plettenberg suggests that United is keeping a close eye on Goretzka, who faces an uncertain future due to Bayern’s pursuit of Rice.
❗️X News #Goretzka: ManUtd is monitoring his situation! #MUFC is aware of the fact that his future his uncertain because of #Rice.
But no concrete talks or negotiations yet. Goretzka is staying calm and his position is clear: He definitely wants to stay as he identifies 100 %… pic.twitter.com/eagzzkUkbF
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 5, 2023
Nevertheless, the German midfielder is reported to have a strong desire to continue his career with the reigning Bundesliga champions.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, now a member of Bayern’s advisory board, supports Goretzka’s decision to stay at the club, indicating that the midfielder is fully committed to Bayern Munich.
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The 28-year-old has played a crucial role for Bayern Munich in the number eight position. In the recent season, he made significant contributions with 12 goals and assists combined from 40 appearances across all competitions.
He showcased impressive passing accuracy of 83% in the Bundesliga, along with winning 1.6 tackles and 4.3 duels per game. Additionally, he excelled in aerial challenges, winning 67% of them.
While Goretzka would be a valuable signing for United, securing his transfer may not be a straightforward task. He is currently valued at £56 million.
However, his wage demands pose a significant stumbling block. With his current weekly wages already at £300,000 at Bayern, he may seek a considerable increase to join Old Trafford.
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Considering United’s intentions to control their wage bill, it seems unlikely that Goretzka’s move would materialize, even if he decides to leave Bayern during the summer transfer window.
