Goretzka ‘leaning’ towards Arsenal: The free transfer that could save Arteta €60m

Robin Bairner

19 Feb 2026 14:57 GMT
4 min read

Leon Goretzka, Bayern, Arsenal, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Arsenal are favourites to land Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer when he departs the Bundesliga giants at the end of his contract, according to reports from Germany.

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Goretzka is one of the highest-profile players who is set for free agency in the summer. At 31 years old, he is a veteran of eight years with Bayern, during which time he has won six Bundesliga titles and the 2019/20 Champions League.

With a reputation as a physically imposing central midfielder, he has unsurprisingly attracted interest from a number of clubs, including Arsenal, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, Bild reports.

Current ETV

Leon Goretzka

M, DM (C)

Bayern

Leon Goretzka

M, DM (C)

Bayern

ETV Range

€12M - €14.7M

Leon Goretzka to Arsenal: The state of play

Arsenal lead the way for Goretzka, with the player said to be “leaning towards” a switch to the Emirates Stadium in the summer.

While he commands a princely salary of €10 million per year, this sizeable wage is offset by the fact that he will arrive for no fee.

For a player who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €13.4m, despite a rapidly expiring contract, and has seen his career value peak at €55m, this is an attractive proposition for the London club.

How would Goretzka fit in at Arsenal?

Goretzka’s qualities are primarily defensive, data analytics firm SciSports indicates. He is particularly effective when opponents are countering, but also posts strong figures when it comes to positioning and ser-piece disruption.

In possession, he is the player likely to link the defence and midfield without performing many offensive heroics. Across the last five seasons, he has never surpassed six goals while nine assists in 2023/24 was something on an anomaly. He does, however, complete a high volume of passes and is also perfectly comfortable carrying the ball forward at his feet.

SciSports compares him in style and quality to Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez. Martin Zubimendi is Arsenal’s current equivalent, yet Goretzka would offer a more physical alternative.

Given Enzo and Nico set their clubs back €121m and €60m respectively in transfer fees, picking up a seasoned champions like Gotezka on a free would be a smart piece of business for the Gunners.

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