Leon Goretzka

[Sydney Gooner]

Manchester United locked in battle with Arsenal for 'next Michael Ballack'

Midfielder Leon Goretzka has piqued the interest of both clubs along with a clutch of top European clubs including Juventus and Real Madrid.

United are seeking to improve their midfield and as we reported yesterday, Sir Alex Ferguson is planning a £60m clear out of players in the summer.

Arsenal in the meantime, have an abundance of flair players with the likes of Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta but are in desperate need of some steel in the middle of the park.

Italian football website Calciomercato speaks of Goretzka in glowing terms and believes he could be ready to make the next step up in his career.

They also note that the current economic malaise in Italian football may not be conducive for Juventus to make a move for Goretzka, especially as they are readying a bid for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Goretzka's current focus will be to ensure Bochum beat the drop in Bundesliga 2.

<a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Goretzka" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Goretzka</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/leon-goretzka/profil/spieler_153084.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/leon- ... 53084.html</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDjkNwCCFCA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDjkNwCCFCA</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Td1EF03O6w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Td1EF03O6w</a>

 

[Bigbludfire]

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/402000/Arsenal-to-duel-it-out-with-Borussia-Monchengladbach-for-next-Mario-Gotze" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football ... ario-Gotze</a>

New Mario Gotze now

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

He stats are very decent he is just 18 years old and he played 36 games this season. we need @Jones to give us information about this player.

 

[Floating]

6'2" midfielder, new Ballack, I like the sound of this. He's younger than Kondogbia though.

 

[RandomHero84]

An abundance of flair players -such as mikel arteta? They don't even know a thing about the players we do have.

 

[jones]

He stats are very decent he is just 18 years old and he played 36 games this season. we need @Jones to give us information about this player.

@Jones? Do I have a twitter handle that I know nothing about?

He's got nothing in common with Götze, the Ballack (physically imposing defensive CM with good scoring ability) comparison is better. Great prospect, still at least two or three years away from warranting a place at a club like Arsenal. He's definitely not moving abroad, there has been reported interest from sides all over Europe for two years or more, and he has always reiterated that he wants to finish school in 2014 in his hometown. His father is his agent and he seems to do a great job in letting his son's career develop at a decent pace. Could see him at Dortmund in a year or two.

Horrible journalism, apart from the obvious Arsenal related errors they couldn't even be bothered to find out the name of his club manager. Can't see this happen.

 

[jones]

He definitely prefers his right foot, but he's no Antonio Valencia. Good with his head too, scored a few headers already in his young career.

 

[k24bfan]

I love how we talk about Jovetic/Higuian/M'villa/whoever. Yet I bet this deal is the one that most likely gets done. Saw a bit of him interesting player.

Heres a video I found if you guys haven't seen him.

<a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sozCNlILoI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sozCNlILoI</a>" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Buhry]

A combination of Götze and Ballack, I like dis. Sounds like he could be our Scweinsteiger in a few years.

Sign him up!

 

[Therapy Inc]

I would much rather have Kondogbia as his highlight videos don't impress me too much. It seems like he's more along the lines of 3-4 years down the road.

 

[dbig]

First post was funny. Talking about the red nosed bastard's summer clear out plans. Only thing he'd be clearing out is his desk.

 

[Kingslayer]

 

[BobP]

His contract runs out at the end of next season, Schalke will probably cash in on him now because he isn't shaping up to resign.

 

[Wilshero]

I like him and wouldn't mind this happening since he is a great talent, although I really feel we need a ready world class CM for next season since we cannot trust Cazorla for the entire season anymore.

 

[Dokaka]

He'd be a good Ramsey replacement. Not the type that'll unlock a defense but he puts in a defensive shift. He's a presence in midfield for sure.

Could see him work well with Xhaka in a 4-5-1 if a competent dribbler was added to that midfield. Wilshere maybe?

 

[SuperGoon]

He's 22. Too old for us. He'll be 26 in a few years.

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

Don't know him but didn't take long to link us with better player than Ross Barkley. Cheaper too.

 

[Impact]

Good size at the very least.

 

[4R5Emaniac]

Good size at the very least.

He is technically really good. He has been a bit underwhelming for me since he hasn't exactly found his best position/role yet but that is a lot because Schalke are utter clowns and can't find a proper coach for all this time. He is very well rounded despite not specializing in a particular role. Could be a great pick up as Ramsey's replacement.

 

[Impact]

Share similar views about his technical ability especially considering the type of midfielder he is. Having said that I'm not sure that he has learnt to transfer his physical stature into on the field dominance. That's the next stage of his development for me.

If Ramsey goes, I'd want an established player to come in. Increasingly I don't think Wenger is good at developing young talent. I think he is fantastic at giving them a chance and inspiring confidence but he's a macro-manager. And most young talents require micro-managers in the early stages of their development to help them learn the important tactical elements of the game. Only have to look at how Ramsey, Chamberlain, Wilshere, Walcott etc have faired to see how average he is in this area.