For years, Leon Goretzka was a cornerstone of Bayern Munich’s midfield. But in recent years, the record German champions were not hiding their intentions to sell him for the right price.
He rejected a loan move to Galatasaray in 2024 while his sizeable wages at the Allianz Arena ruled out a number of potential destinations, as he was reluctant to accept a reduction in salary, and a move never came to fruition.
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Instead his contract ran out in July, making him a free agent for the summer transfer window.
There was a time when Goretzka was considered Germany’s best box-to-box midfielder.
His long build made him a force inside both penalty areas, while his ball-handling and tactical understanding helped him between the boxes. But his athleticism slowly faded over the years and younger players took his place.
Last season, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany primarily used Goretzka as a substitute, as did Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann during the World Cup this year.
Goretzka made three appearances for his national team, with 96 minutes in total playing time.
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It is uncertain whether new Germany manager Jurgen Klopp will select Goretzka for international duty again.
A move to Aston Villa could certainly help the 31-year-old to revitalise his career, as he seemed stuck at Bayern where he spent a total of eight seasons.
