Leon Goretzka is set to leave FC Bayern Munich at the end of this season.
FC Bayern sports director Christoph Freund confirmed the departure on Friday morning. Goretzka, who has been with the club for eight years, has decided not to renew his contract.
Freund said the midfielder feels very comfortable at the club and with his teammates, but he has chosen to seek a new challenge over the summer. He added that Goretzka is an “important part” of the squad and plays at an “extremely high level”. Although there were concrete winter transfer enquiries, the player opted to stay until his contract ends to pursue the club’s sporting objectives.
“In this year there is still a lot possible” Freund noted, explaining why Goretzka wants to remain until the end of his deal.
