Bayern Munich Transfer News: Leon Goretzka Battle Expected, Latest Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reportedly wants to sign Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka, but Bayern Munich remain the favourites to land the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup star.

According to Bild (h/t the Daily Express' Jack Otway), the Gunners have been scouting the Germany international for months, while Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid also maintain an interest.

The young starlet has just one year left on his current contract and has so far declined to sign a new deal, amid strong rumours he's looking to join Bayern on a free transfer.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

In May, it was even claimed the 22-year-old had already agreed to a deal, but he denied those rumours, per Goal's Stefan Coerts. He's still expected to move to Bavaria, though, continuing the Bundesliga champions' track record of snapping up Germany's top young talents.

Coral couldn't help but joke about their next potential acquisition:

Arsenal's strong interest could make things interesting, however. Schalke have so far maintained they will not sell the midfielder at any cost, but the risk he could join domestic rivals Bayern on a free transfer could prove too great.

Instead, the Gunners could offer the Gelsenkirchen club a solid transfer fee this summer, which should be seen as a better option.

As shared by WhoScored.com, the Confederations Cup standout has multiple great seasons in the Bundesliga under his belt:

Goretzka has been with Schalke since 2013 and seems more than ready to make the step up to a top club. He's a strong, tall figure in midfield who can win physical battles but is just as gifted technically, even if he's not known for his scoring ability.

As a pending free agent, he could be quite the value signing, but Bayern loom large over the situation. The Bavarians rarely let top talents slip out of their grasp, and one has to assume Goretzka would have signed a new deal or pushed for a transfer already if he wasn't planning on joining them next season.

Goretzka can sign a pre-contract in January, so there's plenty of time left to make something happen. In all likelihood, he'll spurn the Gunners and all others to move to Bavaria, however.