Bayern Munich are reportedly trying to offload Leon Goretzka as the midfielder has fallen out of favour under manager Vincent Kompany.
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Goretzka not in Bayern's plansLeft out of Kompany's squadBayern open to offers for GermanWHAT HAPPENED?
After the Germany international was left out of Bayern's 4-0 win over Ulm in the DFB-Pokal on Friday, speculation has mounted that the 29-year-old may leave the Bundesliga giants. Now, Sky Germany reporter claims Bayern are 'increasing the pressure' on him and want to convince the 6'2 player to consider a transfer elsewhere. However, the player's camp 'expects' him to stay as he wants to fight for his place and an exit is only likely in the winter if he struggles for game time.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT VINCENT KOMPANY SAID
After Goretzka's omission from the squad, the Bayern boss said: “It’s important for us to simply say that we always communicate with the players, that everything is clear. That’s important to me. Now we’re only focused on the game.”
While he was tight-lipped on the matter, sporting director Christoph Freund was more candid.
“Leon has been at Bayern for a very, very long time. He was very successful and is a great player. We spoke to him and made it clear to him that there’s a lot of competition in his position. We are very well equipped there. Leon knows that. And that’s why the situation is like this at the moment, and why he’s not in the squad today," he said.
“Not at the moment [there haven't been any offers]. But of course there are some interested parties for Leon Goretzka because he’s simply a very, very good player.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Plettenberg adds that Goretzka is 'disappointed' about his Bayern situation but remains loyal, professional and is training well – according to Kompany. He adds the German giants have not set a price tag on the former Schalke star but they are open to discussions with clubs ahead of the transfer window shutting later this month. Goretzka has been at Bayern since 2018, has scored 40 goals in 221 appearances and in that time he has won the Champions League, and multiple Bundesliga and domestic trophies, too. If he left, it would be the end of an era.
gettyWHAT NEXT?
Bayern return to action on Tuesday when they take on Grasshoppers in a pre-season friendly, before travelling to Wolfsburg for their opening Bundesliga match on August 25. If Goretzka is left out of those games, he may have to consider his future.