90min
·20 August 2024
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Yahoo sports90min
·20 August 2024
Leon Goretzka is keen to fight for his future at Bayern Munich but would be interested in joining Liverpool, Barcelona or Real Madrid if he does eventually leave, a report has claimed.
Goretzka has divided opinion at Bayern over the past few years and was the subject of speculation even before new manager Vincent Kompany opted to leave him out of his matchday squad for the DfB Pokal clash with SSV Ulm.
"As a club, we always want to be clear with the players, that is the reality," Kompany said after dropping the 29-year-old. "We do that internally within our family. We don't need to say anything publicly."
With his future now in serious doubt, Sky Sports Germany state that Goretzka is planning to try and fight against the pressure to leave the club as he still hopes to claw his way back into Kompany's thinking.
However, if Goretzka were to leave, it is said that he would be open to joining Liverpool, Barcelona or Madrid, with "one to three other teams" also hinted at.
Goretzka has not played in Bayern's last two games / ANP/GettyImages
A number of Bayern officials have spoken out about the situation. Director of sport Max Eberl said: "We speak openly with the players. We have strengthened in midfield, [Joshua] Kimmich is returning to midfield. Players know when their situation can be difficult. We communicated that clearly. Things have been clarified internally."
That was soon followed by sporting director Christoph Freund, who added: "Leon has been at Bayern for a very, very long time. He was very successful and is a great player. We spoke to him and made it clear to him that there’s a lot of competition in his position. We are very well equipped there. Leon knows that. And that’s why the situation is like this at the moment."
Earlier this summer, honourary president Uli Hoeness discussed the pressure on Goretzka's shoulders in a more favourable manner, and it is these comments which the midfielder is said to be focusing on.
"In life you always get a second chance," Hoeness said. "That also applies to him at Bayern. He now has the chance to prove himself. The last two years have not been good."
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