Germany international and new Bayern Munich ace Leon Goretzka confirmed he rejected Barcelona‘s interest to join Bayern as he was finally unveiled at the Allianz Arena on Thursday.
The 23-year-old, who mainly plays as a midfielder, announced back in January that he was to leave Schalke to join the Bundesliga champions in the summer, which was a very bad news to Schalke’s fans and the club’s board at Veltins-Arena.
Goretzka has now been finally introduced as a Bayern Munich’s player. The German, in his first press conference, said that the Bundesliga champions had not been the only interested eyeing move for him and while it’s believed likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea were also keen on signing him, the midfielder also confirmed interest from the La Liga champions Barcelona.
The Germany international said as quoted by FourFourTwo:
“That was an honour, of course.
“I had several options and took a lot of time for my decision and believe that I have made the best choice with Bayern.
He added:
“I see myself as a number eight, but I’m flexible. I’m ready to play in different positions.
“I have a very positive impression of [head coach Niko] Kovac. Everything else will come over the next few days.”
His new club sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić was also present at the press conference, where he was effusive in his praise of the new signing.
Salihamidžić said:
“Leon is a really good footballer with qualities that will help take our team forward. He’s dynamic, fast and technically strong.”
The midfielder will now don the number 18 shirt for Bayern and could be in line to make his debut when the club take on German Cup holders Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Super Cup a week on Sunday (12 August).
Our new number 18! ?#Goretzka #FCBayern #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/0gJKUOrnQ2
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 2, 2018
He has just returned from an extended holiday after his exploits with Germany at the World Cup in Russia. Leon Goretzka was an integral part of the Die Mannschaft’s team even though they got eliminated at the group stage.