Matthäus urges Bayern to keep Goretzka

According to reports, FC Bayern are looking to offload Leon Goretzka in the summer, but Lothar Matthäus believes they should consider keeping him.

German media have repeatedly reported that Bayern Munich are planning to offload Leon Goretzka at the end of the season.

But the 30-year-old central midfielder, who is under contract until 2026, is doing all he can to prove he still has a future at the club, most recently scoring the winner in Friday’s 3-1 win over VfB Stuttgart.

Even with the arrival of promising central midfielder Tom Bischof from Hoffenheim in the summer, former Bayern and Germany star Lothar Matthäus believes the Bavarians would be wise to keep hold of Goretzka.

“He is having his second summer – despite all the stories around him. If you saw him in Stuttgart – not just because of the goal – but how much desire he had, how viciously he played, I would consider extending Goretzka’s contract if I were Bayern Munich,” Matthäus told Sky Germany.

“He is an important player and has influence in the dressing room,” Matthäus continued.

He added that it’s important to have aggressive, ball-winning players like Goretzka in your squad, and mentioned Konrad Laimer as another example.

“You need players like that in your team. Not just artists like Wirtz and Musiala, but also those who do the dirty work at the back and win tackles. Bayern Munich are very well positioned in that respect.”