Arsenal have reportedly jumped ahead in the race to sign Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka. The Germany international has just seven months left on his contract, and he looks set to pursue a fresh challenge at the end of the campaign.
Goretzka has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Juventus all credited with an interest in his signature.
However, according to The Sun, the Gunners are leading the pursuit of the versatile midfielder, whom Arsene Wenger has kept a close watch on over the past few years.
Wenger had to wait until the dying stages of last season to finalise a Bosman move for Sead Kolasinac from Gelsenkirchen, but the club find themselves in a better position this time around with a pre-contract likely to be finalised with Goretzka next month.
The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the hottest properties in German football, and he has already made a huge impression with the national side with six goals in just 12 appearances in 2017.
Despite being a central midfielder by trade, Goretzka is capable of playing further forward in the number 10 position, and he could be seen as a potential replacement for Mesut Ozil, although the Gunners still have hopes of persuading the World Cup winner to stay.
Earlier last month, Arsenal brought in Sven Mislintat from Borussia Dortmund to become the head of recruitment, and the 45-year-old is likely to be tasked with luring top-class talents after he himself suggested that the club expect ‘a Dembele’ from him in each transfer window.
