Bayern Munich midfielder enters pre-contract talks with Barcelona as Catalan giants move swiftly to secure major signing.
With Hansi Flick’s high-intensity system demanding physicality and experience, Deco has identified a proven winner whose wage demands and expiring deal offer a rare no-fee opportunity.
This strategic play reflects Barcelona’s shift toward cost-effective elite additions amid ongoing salary cap battles.
That midfielder is Leon Goretzka, whose Bayern Munich contract expires in June 2026, with no renewal on the horizon due to his hefty salary and the club’s cycle change, as reported by Fichajes.
Barcelona plan gradual contacts over the coming months, eyeing a pre-contract to secure him for 2026/27, capitalising on Goretzka’s winter loan refusal to stay focused in Germany.
Goretzka rejected short-term exits despite European interest, prioritising Bayern’s season finale—a stance Barcelona welcomes as it allows patient groundwork without urgency.
At 30, his box-to-box power, attacking thrust, and Champions League pedigree position him ideally to balance Barcelona’s youthful engine room alongside Pedri and Gavi, bringing leadership absent in Flick’s press-heavy setup.
Bayern’s cold renewal outlook—wage bill trimming amid internal competition—accelerates the timeline, with Goretzka’s role no longer untouchable under Vincent Kompany.
Flick knows him intimately from their 2020 treble triumph, valuing his versatility with Frenkie De Jong cover or advanced destroyer.
His camp stresses contract loyalty, but Munich’s distance hints at an open summer exit.
Pre-talks remain embryonic—no formal bids yet—but Barcelona’s project allure could sway him over Premier League or Serie A rivals.
Patience defines Deco’s roadmap: observe, entice, execute.
Goretzka embodies the perfect bridge—experience fortifying La Masia’s rise without fiscal peril. As Bayern drifts, Camp Nou sharpens focus.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
