Manchester United Join Goretzka Chase

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Only if Leon Goretzka were top of the FBI Ten Most-Wanted list would he have more people chasing him. The Manchester Evening News claims Manchester United joined the pack this weekend and are ready to make the German international an offer he can’t refuse.

Jose Mourinho’s big summer plans for 2018 will meet with the approval of the Manchester United board. The Portuguese, already told to reduce the club’s wage bill before new players can be signed.

That was based on a fee being paid; Goretzka, like 29-year-old Mesut Özil, is available on a free transfer next summer. The Bundesliga star is free to talk to overseas clubs from January; Europe’s great and good are all looking to sign Schalke’s mercurial winger, with competition expected to be fierce.

United, currently second in the Premier League, hope to use their improved status and Champions League football, to entice Goretzka to move to Old Trafford ahead of Premier League rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool.

However, Barcelona, Juventus, and Bayern Munich are all strong competition. The Bavarians thought they sealed Goretzka’s signature last year but the deal never materialised.

Barcelona are reported to be looking at both Goretzka and Özil as alternatives to Philippe Coutinho, 26, if they cannot reach agreement with Liverpool over a fee.