LIVERPOOL have been dealt a transfer blow after Schalke announced Leon Goretzka is heading to Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
The midfielder is set to be the latest Bundesliga star hoovered up by the Bavarian giants after failing to agree a new deal at the Arena AufSchalke.
Schalke’s CEO Christian Heidl confirmed in a press conference that the 22-year-old will make the dash to the Allianz Arena.
The 12-cap Germany international is sure to add to his tally of caps, if he can overcome an injury that has kept him out of the last six games for his club.
Heidl said: “Leon Goretzka has informed us earlier this week that he wants to leave the club to join Bayern Munich.
“He has an agreement with them from July 1. We’ve done everything we can to keep Leon at Schalke.
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“In the summer there was an agreement with him and his advisor. He still wanted time to wait for his athletic development.”
The Gelsenkirchen club’s chairman appeared frustrated after announcing Goretzka’s departure, but the youngster has been on the rise for some time.
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Despite the likely prospect of Schalke playing Champions League football next season, the allure of Bayern Munich has proven too strong for yet another Bundesliga star.
Borussia Dortmund have most infamously been the club effected by Bayern’s tendancy to swoop for the best players of their rivals.
The likes of Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels and Mario Goetze have all left the Westfalenstadion for Munich on a free in recent seasons, but Goetze returned 18 months ago.
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