The midfield department at Bayern Munich could see significant changes in the summer despite the departure of Thomas Tuchel. The German coach was eager to add a robust number six to the squad last summer. Even though he is leaving Die Roten at the end of the season, the club may still see several changes in the midfield.
Leon Goretzka was not the first choice midfield option for Thomas Tuchel. The German midfielder has made the most out of the starts he got under the German manager this season. Goretzka was heavily linked with a move away from Bavaria last summer, but he decided to stay put and fight for a place in the starting XI.
The 28-year-old midfielder is attracting interest from one of the biggest clubs in Italy. According to SportBild (via iMiaSanMia), Juventus are interested in signing Leon Goretzka when the transfer window opens at the end of the season.
Goretzka has not made a decision on his future. The German midfielder will assess the situation when the new head coach arrives in Munich. West Ham United and Manchester United were linked with Goretzka last summer. If he is available for transfer, more clubs will come in for him.
Bayern will look for a new number six in the summer. They have been heavily linked with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi in the past few months. Goretzka can play alongside Zubimendi. However, another midfield addition will make sure that Goretzka will have to look for a transfer to get consistent playing time.
Goretzka is not the only midfielder who is facing an uncertain future at Bayern. Joshua Kimmich has entered the final 18 months of his contract. Die Roten are yet to open talks for a new deal amidst interest from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. If there is no breakthrough in talks with Kimmich by the end of the season, Bayern will have to cash in and reinvest in a new midfielder.
The club chiefs are planning a squad upheaval in the summer after poor results in the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal this season. Max Eberl will officially start working at Bayern on March 1. He is expected to work in tandem with Christoph Freund to oversee the squad overhaul. It will be interesting to see if Goretzka remains a crucial part of the squad rebuild. If he is not, then there is a very good option in Juventus for a new adventure.