Liverpool have reportedly joined Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus in the race to sign highly-rated Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka, who is in the last year of his contract with the Bundesliga club.
According to the Liverpool Echo however, Schalke are prepared to make Goretzka, 22, the highest paid player at the Veltins-Arena in order to keep him among their ranks in January and beyond.
The young central midfielder is one of the world’s most impressive upcoming talents. He joined Schalke from VfL Bochum in 2013 and has since made 126 appearances for the Gelsenkirchen club, scoring 17 goals. He also has six goals in just 12 games for the German national team.
Goretzka is an athletic player who can sit behind the striker or play further back in the midfield in more of a box-to-box role — he has a good defensive workrate whilst also being a great attacking threat, which would be perfect for Liverpool’s midfield.
The young German is also an aerial threat and a big presence, standing at six feet and two inches, and has a great ability to read the game two or three passes ahead of the action. He would certainly be a coup for the Reds if a new contract is not agreed with Schalke.
