Chelsea told 31-year-old free agent wanted by Arsenal is ideal Enzo Fernandez replacement

Chelsea have been told to rival Arsenal for Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka, especially if the Blues end up losing Enzo Fernandez.

The 31-year-old Germany international will be among the most coveted free agents this summer when his current contract expires.

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Goretzka‘s trophy haul includes six Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals and the 2020 Champions League in his eight-year Bayern stint.

This season, the midfielder has scored two goals and registered one assist across 35 appearances for Vincent Kompany’s side.

He has started in all-but six of his 23 Bundesliga outings, but has been restricted to just 83 minutes in Bayern’s European campaign.

It was announced in late January that Goretzka would become a free agent this summer, days before Arsenal made their interest clear.

Leon Goretzka transfer latest

European football expert Andy Brassell admitted that the idea of Goretzka in the Premier League makes a lot of sense.

“He’s not at his 2020 peak,” he told talkSPORT.com. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.

“He was built like a Marvel hero after his lockdown workouts, and he and Joshua Kimmich seemed to represent the future of Bayern on and off the pitch.

“What he has underlined in this season, when he has started 17 Bundesliga games, is that he remains a very, very good player.

“When you look at the physical side of him, I think him in the Premier League makes a lot of sense.”

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Goretzka to Arsenal or Chelsea?

The 67-cap German international has played the entirety of his senior career in his homeland but is a long-standing Premier League target.

talkSPORT’s Alex Crook revealed the Gunners did ask the question of his availability in the wake of Mikel Merino’s injury, but ultimately put a move on hold with the idea to revisit at the end of the season.

Chelsea could also be in the market for a new midfielder, with Ben Jacobs confirming Enzo Fernandez is open to leaving the Blues.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are another option, with veteran Casemiro set to leave a void upon the expiry of his contract in June.

On Goretzka, Brassell added: “I think if you could get him into a side with a really good defensive midfielder, then he’s off the chain.

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“I think you’re getting 10, 12 goals a season out of him. If you can unlock that side to him, again, he’s tough, he can handle himself, he can do the defensive side of the game as well.

“This has been a reminder that even if he’s not become quite the player that Bayern thought he would be, at 31, I still think he’s got plenty in the tank.

“If you’re looking at someone who really all you’re dealing with is the wages, he’s on a free, so you’re not paying a massive fee for him.

“I guess if Bayern had sold him two or three years ago, they could have commanded whatever.

“I’d like him for Arsenal, I’d like him for Man United, I’d like him for Chelsea, especially if they end up losing Enzo Fernandez. We’ll have to see what happens there.

“But because he’s not always been first pick, he’s become more versatile as well, so he can do more different roles in the midfield.

“I’m not saying he starts for whatever Premier League team, I’m not sure that’s the case.

“But he’s someone who, in a game now where if you’re one of the best teams, you’re playing like 60 games a season, if you’ve got a bloke who takes part in like 45, starting or sub, or 50, he’s someone who can definitely do that.”