Spurs, Gunners to spar for Goretzka (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
As the summer starts to get a little closer, the competition for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka could be heating up:
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are likely to face competition to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka for free in the summer window. Italian Serie A leaders Inter Milan are looking to sign a new midfielder next summer, and Goretzka has emerged as a possible option.
Tottenham signed Joao Palhinha from Bayern last summer on loan, but they are unlikely to make his signing
permanent. They can make an attempt to sign the 31-year-old midfielder, but Goretzka probably would love to join a club that can offer him Champions League football.
Both Arsenal and Inter Milan can offer him that platform, while a move to Leverkusen could be tempting if they secure an automatic Champions League spot next season. It has been suggested that Goretzka is open to a move to the Premier League, which could give Arsenal an edge over other potential suitors.
Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen will each be able to make a strong case for Goretzka. However, coming up with a big enough salary to appease the Germany international could prove to be difficult. Given that, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur could be in the driver’s seat for this pursuit.
Jackson to Saudi Arabia? (Tz)
On Wednesday, a report broke that Nicolas Jackson is unhappy with his playing time at Bayern Munich (what did he really expect it would be like backing up Harry Kane?). Now, there is another report that Jackson could be heading to Saudi Arabia:
New doors could now open for Jackson, as clubs from Saudi Arabia have shown interest in signing him. Al-Ahli, in particular, from Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, has set its sights on Jackson, as reported by the portal Sportsboom. The club is looking for a replacement for Ivan Toney, who has played in the league since 2024 and has scored an impressive 46 goals in 52 league appearances.
Toney, however, is planning a return to the Premier League, forcing Al-Ahli to look for a suitable replacement. Jackson could fill this gap and give his career a new direction. At Bayern Munich, Jackson has so far only played a minor role. This season he has made 22 appearances and scored five goals, but has only started seven times.
Jackson has no future at Bayern Munich, and Chelsea seems to not have any use for him, either.
Álvarez looking at Barca, LFC, Gunners (ESPN)
Julián Álvarez is expected to be a popular name on the transfer market and the striker could have his eyes on FC Barcelona and Liverpool:
If Julián Álvarez leaves Atlético this summer, the striker will prioritize a move to Barcelona over Liverpool or Arsenal, says Football Insider. Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal are exploring the possibility of launching a summer move for Álvarez, as Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta negotiated the Argentina international’s €95 million transfer from Manchester City in August 2024. But it appears the player has other ideas over a future destination.
Real, Barca, PSG all could vie for Luka Vušković (Sports Boom’s Ekrem Konur)
Bayern Munich had been linked to Luka Vušković until Dayot Upamecano inked his new contract, but the Bavarians were not alone in their admiration of the center-back.
Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain are all also eyeing the 18-year-old phenom:
Tottenham Hotspur’s 18-year-old center-back Luka Vušković has attracted interest from top European clubs due to his exceptional skills. Despite being a key player for Hamburg, Spurs see him as their long-term defensive cornerstone. With a potential transfer fee of €60m–€70m, Vušković’s future remains uncertain, with Tottenham standing firm on their “unsellable” stance.
Real Madrid, looking to radically rejuvenate their aging backline, views Vušković as a generational candidate. Meanwhile, Barcelona views his elite ball-carrying ability as a seamless fit for their possession-based philosophy.
PSG scouts have reported that his physical parameters are a perfect match for the rigours of Ligue 1. It is well-documented that Manchester City and Liverpool have dispatched special representatives throughout the season to assess his adaptability to the English tempo.
Tottenham management publicly defines Vušković as the “centrepiece” of their defensive project, maintaining a strictly “unsellable” stance to deter low-ball offers. The North London club intends to integrate the player directly into the first-team rotation during the Summer 2026 pre-season. However, insiders suggest that Spurs require a significant “war chest” for marquee signings in the attacking third this summer, which might force their hand.
Should Tottenham be persuaded to the negotiating table, talks would likely only commence with a staggering bid in the €60m–€70m range. His current contract, running until June 2030, grants Spurs total leverage in any bargaining process.
Per reports, Vušković loves playing in Germany. With Kim Min-jae allegedly on the trading block, maybe Bayern Munich would make a splurge this summer on a center-back for the future.
Don’t rule it out just yet…
LFC to sell Gakpo? (Football Insider’s Peter O’Rourke)
Bayern Munich was closely linked to Cody Gakpo last summer and the Dutchman could be available again this year:
Liverpool could look to sell Cody Gakpo this summer if they identify a top transfer target for his left-wing position.
Gakpo has struggled to hit top form for Liverpool this season, and may well be on his way out of the club this summer.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “If Liverpool were to bring in another left-sided attacker in the summer then maybe that potentially could open the door for a move away for Cody Gakpo.
“But he’s under contract until 2030…by all accounts, he remains happy at the club even though he does come in for a bit of flak from some Liverpool fans for his performances.
“He’s clearly still seen as a key man by Arne Slot, because he keeps picking him.”
Silva has options if he wants City exit (ESPN)
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva reportedly wants a new challenge, and the Portuguese winger might have several suitors in the MLS or the Saudi Pro League:
Chicago Fire, Benfica and Juventus are looking at signing Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva in the summer, says the Daily Mail. Silva, 31, is out of contract at the end of the season and is reportedly keen to leave for a new challenge. The Portugal international has been a key player for Pep Guardiola over the past decade, and there has also been interest from the Saudi Pro League.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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