Leon Goretzka has been one of the defining faces of FC Bayern for years – and yet he faces an uncertain future. The 30-year-old’s contract expires next summer, but there have been no concrete signs of an extension so far. After the 3-1 away win at 1 FC Cologne, the central midfielder has now spoken out himself and spoken openly about his situation for the first time
The facts are clear and have given rise to speculation: Leon Goretzka will be without a valid contract from 1 July 2026 if no agreement is reached with FC Bayern by then. However, the Germany international was remarkably calm on the RTL microphone. „For now, the situation is that my contract expires. We’ll see what happens next. I’m very relaxed about it,“ Goretzka explained after the match in Cologne
Words that sound neither like a farewell nor like a clear commitment – but rather like deliberate restraint. The Bochum-born player let it be known that he is not currently under any pressure. A decision has not yet been made, nor has a concrete roadmap for the coming months
Goretzka has recently been repeatedly linked with a possible move abroad. AC Milan in particular are said to be interested, while FC Barcelona and his former sponsor Hansi Flick are also considered potential suitors. None of this has been officially confirmed, but the rumours persist
Seasons speak for him despite competition
In sporting terms, the situation is more complex than the contract discussion would suggest. Goretzka is not an undisputed regular under Vincent Kompany, but he is far from being a marginal figure. His playing time speaks for itself. The 30-year-old has already made 25 competitive appearances for FC Bayern this season, including 16 appearances in 17 possible Bundesliga games
Only two Bayern professionals have appeared in all 17 league games: Harry Kane and Michael Olise. Goretzka follows directly behind them and thus continues to be one of the most consistently deployed players. This also underlines the fact that he is still relevant for the record champions in sporting terms – even if his role varies depending on the situation
Goretzka sees himself in a strong phase of his career. „I’m in the prime of my career in terms of age and feel in top shape,“ he emphasised. It is precisely this assessment that should open up the market for him even more. An experienced, internationally proven midfielder, physically at a high level and tactically flexible – a profile that is in demand on the European stage
Bayern on the brink of a landmark decision
Goretzka will inevitably be part of the larger squad planning at FC Bayern. Max Eberl and Christoph Freund are faced with the task of realigning the central midfield. A new axis has already been established with Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic, while at the same time young players are pushing in
Whether Goretzka should continue to play a role in this is a strategic question. His profile, experience and presence speak for him, while his high salary and the change in roles speak against him. One thing is clear: a transfer-free departure in the summer would be painful, but economically calculated
Reports have recently been circulating that there is a clear trend within FCB towards a parting of the ways
However, nothing has been decided yet. Goretzka himself is making no secret of the fact that he wants to take his time. No public demands, no farewell scenario, no clear commitment – just calmness. For FC Bayern, this means that the future of a long-standing key player remains open.