Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has ruled out leaving the Allianz Arena this summer amid reported interest from Manchester United and West Ham United.
The 28-year-old has spent the last five seasons with the Bavarian giants since joining from Schalke 04, recording 34 goals and 35 assists in 179 appearances across all competitions.
Goretzka has been a key cog in the Bayern machine that has won 13 trophies since 2018, including five Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals and one Champions League.
However, speculation over the German's long-term future in Bavaria has surfaced in recent weeks, with one report claiming that Bayern are willing to entertain offers for the box-to-box midfielder.
Goretzka, who still has three years remaining on his Bayern contract, lost his regular place in the starting lineup following the arrival of head coach Thomas Tuchel in March.
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It is understood that Tuchel cannot assure Goretzka of regular first-team football next season, as he intends to start with Joshua Kimmich and summer signing Konrad Laimer as his first-choice midfield partnership.
Tuchel is believed to be desperate to recruit a new holding midfielder this summer and is open to letting Goretzka leave to raise funds for new signings.
Man United and West Ham have since emerged as potential suitors for Goretzka, who is valued by Bayern between €40m (£34.4m) and €50m (£42.9m).
While West Ham are said to have identified Goretzka as a possible replacement for Declan Rice, Man United are believed to be keen to reinforce their midfield despite signing Mason Mount earlier this summer, although player sales will be required to generate funds.
Despite interest from the Premier League, Goretzka has expressed his "love" for Bayern and has insisted that he is keen to stay put at the Allianz Arena.
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Speaking to Sky Deutschland about the prospect of leaving Bayern, Goretzka said: "I have no intention to leave Bayern. I love the club, I love the city, I love the fans."
Goretzka is not the only Bayern midfielder to have been linked with a summer exit, as Marcel Sabitzer is reportedly edging closer to completing a permanent move to fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.
Ryan Gravenberch has also been tipped to seek pastures new after failing to nail down a regular starting place in his debut campaign in 2022-23, but the 21-year-old revealed at the beginning of this month that he expected to remain at Bayern for the new campaign.
Meanwhile, Fichajes reports that Premier League trio Man United, Manchester City and Liverpool could all battle it out for the signature of Kimmich, who has also attracted interest from Barcelona.
Oliver Thomas
