According to reports, Arsenal could have already found their replacement for Mesut Özil in Schalke’s Leon Goretzka, courtesy of new scout Sven Mislintat.
Contract rebel Mesut Özil looks set to be on his way out of Arsenal, Barcelona being the touted destination, with a move for the German playmaker being targeted following the Catalan club’s failure to sign Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in the summer.
As a result of Özil’s situation, newly appointed ‘super scout’ Sven Mislintat has already begun searching for possible replacements, with Schalke’s German midfielder Leon Goretzka being outlined as the man to fill his void. At just 22 years old Goretzka is already the beating heart of Schalke’s midfield, starting eight games and scoring four goals this season.
He is beginning to find his way into the German national team just in time for next year’s World Cup in Russia, as he started both of their recent World Cup qualifying wins against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan, scoring twice.
His playing style is more defensively minded than his German counterpart, specialising particularly in the tackle, but his ability to cut inside and release rasping shots from range also singles him out as an attacking threat.
Should Özil move to Barcelona, then the Catalans interest in Goretzka would surely dwindle, paving the way for Arsenal to complete his signature and add yet another midfield prodigy to their ranks.
