Will Leon Goretzka improve Barcelona?

FC Barcelona do not have the best of reputations when it comes to transfer windows. One quick look at Alex Song, Dmytro Chygrynskiy, Douglas and Keirrison reveals a worrying trend: Barcelona's infamous board is simply unable to sign the right players. The fact, though, is that signing players for a team steeped in its own successful philosophy and style is a daunting task.

With reports emerging from Germany that Schalke 04's enigmatic midfielder Leon Goretzka could join the club next season, several fans have been left to wonder to what extent the German starlet would improve the squad.

That being said, the likelihood of Goretzka plying his trade with the Catalan club is increasing with every passing day, with compatriot Marc Andre Ter Stegen assuming a rather important role in convincing the midfielder to join his club. Barcelona, therefore, have a definite upper hand over Liverpool and Arsenal, who are also competing for the German's signature.

A tiring midfield

Misfiring trio

Barcelona, at the moment, have a midfield problem. There is a definitive lack of creativity in the side, with most of the attacks initiated and finished by Lionel Messi. Ivan Rakitic has not been at his brilliant best, and Andre Gomes, despite repeated attempts, is unable to earn the love and appreciation of the fanbase.

Paulinho may have surprised fans and critics alike with his uncanny knack of scoring important goals, but playing him in midfield compromises the control Barcelona are used to having at the center of the pitch.The Barcelona of today certainly have an element of Messi-dependencia, and cannot expect to carry on in the same fashion if they are to win any silverware this season.

Leon Goretzka has long been considered the heir apparent of Ivan Rakitic at Schalke 04. The 22-year old has scored 4 goals for his club this season, carrying on from the previous season where he put in some stellar shifts.

Primarily functioning as a box-to-box midfielder, Goretzka has displayed the ability to score as well as make incisive passes, tearing open the back-lines of quality opposition. Goretzka is not only attack-minded but also has a good defensive side to his game, but his passing accuracy (at 75 percent) is much lower than any of the current crop at Barcelona. Barcelona's philosophy, however, should improve this side of Goretzka's game.

The next midfield prodigy?

The most important quality that Goretzka possesses that will make him a success at Barcelona is a footballing intelligence beyond his years. Xavi, Iniesta, and to an extent, Fabregas and Thiago as well, had varying degrees of success with Barcelona but were able to instantly adapt to the playing style of the first team, slotting into different positions rather seamlessly.

Apart from their technical abilities as players, every successful midfielder at Barcelona has displayed a tactical awareness and intelligence. If Goretzka is able to replicate and even improve on his performances at Schalke on a consistent basis, a move to the Camp Nou would be ideal to both parties.

Andre Gomes has not found his feet at Barcelona

Fans of the club, however, are wary of setting high expectations of any new potential signings, and for good reason. Arda Turan and Andre Gomes have not been as effective as promised, and anxiety is building at the Nou Camp to find a viable alternative to an ageing Ivan Rakitic.

Goretzka himself has made it abundantly clear that he is willing to join either Barcelona or Bayern Munich at the end of the season. Schalke, however, have made it clear that they will not sell Goretzka to a competing Bundesliga club.

With Gomes and Turan set to be offloaded in the January transfer window, the stage is set for Barcelona to get ahead of the competition and sign Goretzka before the end of the season at a fee of about $20 million, an absolute steal in today's inflated transfer market.

Barcelona's best bet at winning trophies this season is to reinforce their ageing midfield, and Goretzka seems as close to perfection as is possible. Will Goretzka fit into Barcelona? Probably. Is he worth it? Undoubtedly.