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2 months ago
17 Manchester United sanctioned the joint arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich in the summer, with the seamless transaction aiding the European giants’ connection.
As such, that may be utilised again when the window reopens after Christmas.
United fans might be aware of the club’s previous links to experienced midfielder Leon Goretzka, with him viewed as a cut-price option to bolster Erik ten Hag’s ranks in the middle of the park prior to Manuel Ugarte’s arrival.
Nothing ever materialised between the Reds and the German international, perhaps because he dug his feet in at the Allianz, and made it clear he wouldn’t be leaving upon the arrival of Vincent Kompany, who’d informed Goretzka that he wouldn’t be playing a significant role in the new-look side.
According to Bundesliga expert Christian Falk in today’s release of his Falk Fact Files, the 29-year-old held talks with Bayern director Max Eberl during the summer window. After being made aware of the club’s intentions to sell him, he flat-out refused – but did table the prospect of him moving away in January.
What Falk has said about Goretzka
“Leon Goretzka changed his mind; he wanted to be in the squad. Bayern Munich wanted to sell Goretzka, and he said “no”. I know about talks with Max Eberl where he said he’s had a look at his situation, and perhaps he’ll change his mind again in the winter window. The situation for him isn’t very good; the 29-year-old has only played a minute of Bundesliga action this season. Vincent Kompany took him out of the squad domestically, though he did score in a brief cameo in the Champions League, so he did show everyone that he hasn’t lost his quality. It’s not only hard in the sporting sense for him, there’s also a financial element to consider given the number of add-ons in his contract. He’s earning €17m all in all if he meets the conditions of his add-ons, but if he doesn’t play, his salary is just €13m a year. Of course, it’s almost a quarter of Goretzka’s salary that he’s missing out on, which will hurt!” Falk revealed.
That’s where United may come in. It’s evident that Casemiro is well past his best, and with the sheer amount of fixtures on the horizon in all competitions, added depth across the field certainly won’t do any harm.
Falk added: “Manchester United were previously interested in his services, and they’ve seen that they can make good deals with Bayern Munich, having landed both Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in the summer. They also have Joshua Zirkzee who was a quasi-Bayern player in the sense that United paid a fee to them for his transfer. I think they know that Bayern Munich players have quality and he would be a good fit, plus they were interested previously. I am sure if they need someone in midfield in the winter window, and were to knock on Bayern’s door, there’s a big chance.”
