Summer Market Set to Close, Goretzka Still Without a Club

Leon Goretzka remains without a club as the 2026 summer transfer window approaches its final stages, a surprising situation given the midfielder is only 31 and boasts extensive experience at the highest level of European football.

Goretzka left Bayern Munich at the end of the 2025/26 season, with many expecting his departure to trigger immediate interest from several major clubs across Europe. Yet, despite being linked with a number of prominent teams, no concrete offer has materialised so far.

Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Arsenal have all reportedly been mentioned as potential destinations for the Germany international. However, none have taken the decisive step required to secure his services.

That lack of interest is particularly unexpected considering Goretzka remained a valuable member of Bayern’s midfield last season. Under Vincent Kompany, he continued to feature regularly and finished the campaign with five goals and four assists.

His age and experience make his current situation even more difficult to explain. Goretzka spent eight seasons with Bayern and established himself as one of Germany’s most accomplished midfielders, making his status as a free agent an intriguing development in the transfer market.

Italian transfer journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has also expressed his surprise at the situation. According to Goal, citing Wettfreunde, Di Marzio admitted that he had expected much stronger interest in the former Bayern player.

“At the moment, there is no interest in Leon Goretzka. It is really strange that he is without a contract because he is an outstanding player,” Di Marzio said.

One potential obstacle could be Goretzka’s salary demands. During his time at Bayern, the midfielder reportedly earned around €13 million per season, a figure that could make clubs hesitate despite the fact that no transfer fee would be required.

For clubs operating under strict financial constraints, signing a free agent does not necessarily mean a low-cost deal. Goretzka’s salary expectations and the overall financial package could still represent a substantial commitment.

That could make Turkey one of the more realistic destinations for the midfielder. Turkish clubs have become increasingly aggressive in the market, particularly when it comes to signing high-profile free agents and established players with significant wage demands.

Several prominent names have opted to continue their careers in the country after leaving Europe’s biggest leagues. Di Marzio believes Turkey could ultimately become a serious option for Goretzka.

“Because there is a lot of money being paid to free agents there, I would not be surprised if Goretzka moved to the Turkish league,” he added.

A move to Turkey could provide Goretzka with a solution that allows him to remain in competitive European football while potentially securing the financial terms he is looking for. Another possibility would be following Thomas Müller by moving to Major League Soccer.

However, that scenario appears less likely given Goretzka’s previous comments about his preferred career path. The midfielder has previously indicated that he does not want to play in the United States. Instead, he has left the door open to a return to Germany, particularly to a club with which he has a strong emotional connection.

VfL Bochum could be one such destination. Bochum sporting director Ilja Kaenzig has openly expressed his hope that Goretzka will eventually return to the club where his professional career began.

“Leon has made many people in Bochum proud. Now he will play at the highest level once again before, hopefully, returning one day. That is our great hope, and hopefully his too,” Kaenzig told SportBILD in June.

Goretzka developed through Bochum’s youth system before moving to Schalke 04, where he established himself as one of Germany’s most promising midfielders before earning his move to Bayern Munich.

For now, however, his next destination remains uncertain. With the summer transfer window scheduled to close on September 1, Goretzka may soon need to make a decision about his future if he wants to avoid remaining on the sidelines for an extended period.

At 31, the midfielder still has plenty to offer. The question is whether a European heavyweight, a Turkish contender or a familiar club back in Germany will be the one to give him the next opportunity.