Barcelona : Leon Goretzka will leave Schalke when his contract expires

German officials have confirmed Goretzka’s plans

BENIDORM, SPAIN – JANUARY 02: Leon Goretzka of Schalke looks on during the FC Schalke 04 training camp at Hotel Melia Villaitana on January 02, 2018 in Benidorm, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images) /

Leon Goretzka’s future has been a subject of speculation ever since he took the Bundesliga by storm. Before his big break, he was just another talented 22-year old with a lot of potential. But after he broke into the Schalke first-team, he became a world-class wonderkid.

The big clubs of Europe, like Juventus, Bayern Munich and Barcelona expressed interest in signing him. Schalke rejected all bids, and so, it didn’t affect his game. Now that the expiry of his contract is nearing, Goretzka is under a lot of pressure.

But he has finally made his mind up. The German playmaker has decided to leave Schalke at the end of the season. He has rejected the possibility of penning a new deal, with an annual salary of €12 million.

But he is still deciding on his next destination. There is interest from across Europe. While there are clubs like Bayern Munich and Barcelona, where he wouldn’t get much playing time, there are clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool, where he could find a spot in the first-team.

But he will definitely leave his current club at the end of the season.

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"Schalke sporting director, Christian Heidel said, “Schalke cannot offer any more nor do any more than we already have.It will not be long before a decision is announced, and it will not drag out until the end of January.”"

As for Barcelona, the club should pull out of the race for Goretzka’s signature. The midfield is too packed for the German to fit in. Arda Turan has left, but Rafinha and André Gomes are yet to leave the club. They are deadweights and need to be sold.

Also, Philippe Coutinho is expected to start in most games in the La Liga and the Copa del Rey, having been suspended in the Champions League. Paulinho is in good form, and Denis Suárez is a hot prospect, which means that Goretzka wouldn’t be able to fit into the backup midfield trio also.

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On the other hand, clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool would benefit from having Leon Goretzka in their squad.