Barcelona Aim For German Star In January – Spanish Reports

Reports in Spain claim league leaders Barcelona are interested in a January transfer for highly-rated German international Leon Goretzka.

The 22-year old Schalke 04 midfielder produced series of impressive performances for Germany as they won the FIFA Confederations Cup this summer and that has alerted clubs like Bayern Munich, Juventus and AC Milan to his immense qualities.

His contract at the Gelsenkirchen Arena expires in June 2018 and the club is ready to cash in on him in January with the added incentive of him moving away from other Bundlesliga rivals through the move to Barcelona, according to El Mundo Deportivo.

The report added that the Spanish giants would be willing to include midfielders like Rafinha, Andre Gomes and Arda Turan in any deal.

Goretzka joined Schalke 04 from VfL Bochum in 2013 for €3.25m (£2.9m) and has developed to be one of the most sought after players in the German Bundlesliga.

The tall midfielder, presently rated at over €25m (£22.3m), contributed eight goals and six assists in 41 competitive games for Schalke 04 last season.