Despite being embroiled in an intense Premier League title race, Arsenal are already making plans for the summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta reportedly eyeing a move for an experienced Champions League winner.
The Gunners sit at the summit of English football’s top flight with eight matches left to play, five points clear of second-place Manchester City. The depth of Arteta’s squad has been key to sustaining a title charge in the midst of gruelling injury issues, although one area is now starting to look stretched.
Martin Zubimendi has looked fatigued for Arsenal of late, as has Declan Rice, with the pair having to play almost every minute of every game. Thus, it’s no surprise that Berta is looking to address this issue in the summer by bolstering the North Londoners’ midfield department.
Bundesliga midfielder is open to Arsenal move
Arsenal added Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to their squad last summer, with the pair essentially replacing the departed Thomas Partey and Jorginho. The Spaniard has been entrusted by Arteta to become the focal point of the Gunners’ midfield, while the Dane has been largely treated as an emergency back-up option.
This insistence on relentlessly starting Zubimendi and the reluctance to ever use Norgaard has arguably been to Arsenal’s detriment. The former Real Sociedad man has been overburdened with minutes, while Rice has also rarely been afforded the opportunity to rest.
It would appear that resolving this squad issue is of paramount importance to Berta and Arteta in the next transfer window. According to journalist Christian Falk (via CFBayernInsider), Arsenal are targeting Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka.
| Leon Goretzka’s Bundesliga Statistics 2025/26 | |
| Appearances | 21 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Pass Accuracy | 93.1% |
| Successful Passes per 90 | 71.1 |
| Shots per 90 | 1.05 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 1.35 |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.42 |
Goretzka’s contract expires in the summer, and it’s become increasingly clear that he won’t be signing a new deal at the Allianz and won’t be extending his stay in Bavaria.
The Gunners reportedly attempted to land the German in January, although the 31-year-old informed the Premier League giants that he had already told Bayern that he’d see out his contract. However, Falk reports that Arsenal have a good chance of securing Goretzka’s services in the summer if they are to submit an offer to his representatives.
Tottenham Hotspur are also in the mix to sign the Champions League winner, although it’s understood that the player favours a switch to the Emirates, as he’s prioritising European involvement in his decision. Inter Milan are another club said to be among the list of potential suitors, but again, Goretzka’s preference is to play in the Premier League.
Should Arsenal move for Leon Goretzka?
Signing a 67-cap Germany international who has made almost 300 appearances for Bayern Munich and won everything in the domestic game, for free, seems like a sensible move. There is a perception that Goretzka has tailed off and is no longer an important figure for the Bundesliga side, when in actual fact, he’s still started 16 games in the league this term.
While he is perhaps no longer operating at the peak of his powers, he’s still an exceptionally well-rounded midfield player who would be capable of offering Arsenal a lot in a squad rotation role.
If Norgaard opts to leave N5 in the summer, the Gunners will need to fill the experience void left by the former Brentford man and Jorginho. Goretzka can seamlessly slot into this role, and for no transfer fee and on relatively modest wages, it makes economic sense for Arsenal.
Assuming he were to sign a deal that expires no later than 2028, then this wouldn’t block Myles Lewis-Skelly’s potential path to midfield minutes, while it would fulfil Arteta’s short-term needs. Arsenal could do a lot worse.
