Free agent Leon Goretzka starts talks with possible new club

Leon Goretzka looks set to continue his career in England. Transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports that the 31-year-old German, who is available on a free transfer, is in talks with Aston Villa.

Goretzka left Bayern Munich this summer after eight successful years. The defensive midfielder made no fewer than 312 appearances for Bayern, scoring 51 goals and supplying 53 assists.

For years, the Germany international was a key figure in Bayern's midfield. He was an undisputed starter in the side that beat Paris Saint-Germain to win the Champions League in 2020.

In recent years, though, his role became more marginal and that ultimately led to his departure from the Allianz Arena. He was not short of interest this summer. Atlético Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter and Arsenal were all mentioned.

One of the reasons he is still without a club is said to be his hefty financial demands. According to German media, he wants seven million euros net per season and a signing-on fee of ten million euros.

Whether Villa and Goretzka can strike a deal remains to be seen. The club are looking for an additional central midfielder after the departures of Youri Tielemans (Manchester United) and Enzo Barrenechea (Benfica).

Unai Emery has already brought in one central midfielder in João Gomes, who arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers. With numbers short in that position, 19-year-old youth player George Hemmings got a taste of senior action during pre-season.