Inter look to beat Arsenal & Milan to free transfer for Bayern star Goretzka | OneFootball

Inter Milan have emerged as the leading Italian club in the race to sign Leon Goretzka on a free transfer this summer, though Arsenal are applying significant pressure from the Premier League and could yet complicate the pursuit.

The experienced Bayern Munich midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club. January saw him come close to joining Atletico Madrid before those talks collapsed, and his availability has since attracted interest from across Europe.

According to TuttoSport, Milan had been monitoring the situation but have shifted their focus toward Brazilian midfielder André of Corinthians, while Napoli and Juventus are considered interested but not as advanced as Inter in their pursuit.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 13: Andre of Corinthians competes for the ball with Julio Fidelis of Fluminense during the match between Fluminense and Corinthians as part of Brasileirao 2025 at Maracana Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

The move would represent a notable shift in strategy for Oaktree, who had previously mandated a focus on under-23 signings. But the ownership has been persuaded that a different approach is necessary, and the reason is straightforward.

Inter could sign veteran Goretzka to reinforce midfield in summer overhaul

Inter are set to lose between four and five senior players at the end of the season, with Sommer, Acerbi, De Vrij, Darmian and Mkhitaryan all out of contract.

Rebuilding entirely with young prospects risks undermining the squad’s spine, and the club’s sporting directors have made that case convincingly to Oaktree.

The signs of a softening stance were already visible, first in the Pavard-Akanji transition last August, then in January’s attempted moves for Cancelo and Perisic.

Goretzka would address a midfield that faces considerable upheaval.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s second from the penalty spot goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Frattesi remains eager for a bigger role elsewhere, Calhanoglu is being pursued by Galatasaray with his contract expiring in 2027, and Mkhitaryan’s departure looks certain. Inter have already signed 23-year-old Massolin from Modena, while the buyback of Aleksander Stankovic for €23 million is considered virtually done.

But Goretzka offers something none of those profiles can match: immediate physicality, Champions League pedigree and genuine leadership.

He is seeking a three-year contract worth €6-6.5 million per season, comparable to what Barella, Calhanoglu and Thuram currently earn. His agency, Roof, has an established relationship with Inter, having offered Lookman to the club last summer. Whether this time the deal reaches its conclusion remains to be seen, but the foundations are in place.