What Leon Goretzka officially said about Arsenal transfer as summer move comes into focus | OneFootball

Arsenal missed out on signing Leon Goretzka in the January transfer window, reports Christian Falk.

The Gunners’ offer for the midfielder simply came too close to the deadline, with the German now set to stay put until the summer.

The 31-year-old will be a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Arsenal’s offer for Leon Goretzka came too late

(Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Leon Goretzka had plenty of interested suitors in January, with both Atletico Madrid and Arsenal knocking on his door.

However, the simple fact of the matter is that the former Schalke man decided he’d be better off staying put in Munich, where he has a reasonable chance of lifting multiple honours.

“It is TRUE: Arsenal made an offer for Leon Goretzka shortly before the transfer deadline,” Falk exclusively informed CF Bayern Insider.

“This was a very interesting option for the German, but at this point, he’d already decided he wouldn’t move in the winter. When Atletico Madrid knocked at his door, he made an official statement on his Instagram account – as did Bayern Munich.

Goretzka could still leave Bayern for the Premier League

Whatever happens at the end of the season, it seems the midfielder will depart Bayern and, potentially, the Bundesliga.

There’s interest additionally from Serie A, though Leon Goretzka’s playing style could yet find him filing out in the Premier League for the 2026/27 season.

Falk went on to add: “I think he has a good idea for the Premier League. He believes his playing style suits the English top-flight.

“There’s still, also, the interest from Atletico Madrid, so plenty of options for the future. Italy is also an opportunity, with interest from Juventus, Milan, Napoli.

“Arsenal, of course, would have been interesting for the midfielder, but the offer came too late on deadline day, which didn’t leave anyone enough time to react. What a pity for Arsenal and Goretzka!”

It’s a shame, certainly, for Mikel Arteta’s men as they continue to push for a first English top-flight title since the 2003/04 season.

Even more so in light of Mikel Merino’s long-term injury, with the Spaniard set to be sidelined until May with a foot injury (Premier Injuries).

Goretzka would have supplied more than enough quality and experience in the meantime for Arsenal’s midfield to cope.

The Londoners will have to hope that they will be able to still revisit the transfer in the summer as Premier League champions.