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What's the story?
Barcelona are on the warpath... after seeing everyone write them off after a summer transfer window that saw Neymar Jr. walking away to join direct Champions League rivals Paris Saint-Germain, Paulinho being flown in from China and making a young, unproven Ousmane Dembele the second-most expensive player on the planet, they decided to up their game and are streaking away at the top of La Liga with some blistering performances. Their squad seems to be a whole lot more settled, and stronger, than it was last season.
And they are not done yet.
In fact, if the folk over at Mundo Deportivo are to believed - and you must take this with a pinch, nay, a fist of salt - Barcelona have already agreed a deal with rising German superstar, Leon Goretzka, valued at around €47 million by his club Schalke 04.
The best thing for Barca fans? Even if the German club were to reject any offers from Barca, Goretzka - who is refusing to sign a new deal at the club - will be available on a free transfer come the summer window.
In case you didn't know
A host of clubs are behind the impressive German midfielder, capable of playing anywhere across the middle of the park - and a marked upgrade on Andre Gomes, if Barcelona do land him - with Juventus, Liverpool, and of course Bayern Munich behind (when have they ever let a talented young German slip through their net?) but Mundo Deportivo report that Goretzka has made up his mind, after talking with German teammate and Barcelona's first-choice goalkeeper Marc Ander Ter Stegen.
The heart of the matter
Jörg Neubauer, Goretzka's manager, is said to have conducted multiple rounds of negotiations with Barcelona already regarding the player's contract details and such and even though Schalke are reluctant to let him - they believe his presence in the team will ensure a top 4 finish, and Champions League participation, and that for them is more valuable than the €47 odd million money that Barca would plump for him in January.
Video
Why is everyone behind Goretzka? Here's a sample...
...Lad can play, let me tell you
Author's Take
Leon Goretzka would improve any team he walks into - such is his pure quality on and off the ball. Barcelona's midfield, so suspect last season, already looks much better with the addition of Paulinho... but Goretzka's inclusion might just make it one of the best in Europe.
