According to the latest media reports, Bayern are planning a possible departure of Leon Goretzka – and have already identified a highly interesting successor candidate in Nathan de Cat.
The signs between Leon Goretzka and FC Bayern have been pointing to a departure for months. The 30-year-old’s contract expires in the summer of 2026 and an extension is considered extremely unlikely. While the DFB international himself is keeping a low profile, the German record champions have long been working on possible alternatives – and one name in particular now stands out.
According to information from Sky, both sporting director Max Eberl and sporting director Christoph Freund are looking closely at Nathan de Cat. The 1.92-metre midfielder from RSC Anderlecht is considered one of the most promising talents in Belgian soccer and is apparently rated internally as a potential successor to Goretzka.
Bayern focus on the exceptional Belgian talent
De Cat is only 17 years old, but has already made a remarkable leap forward. He officially joined Anderlecht’s professional squad this summer – and has made a name for himself straight away. He has already made 14 appearances in the Jupiler Pro League this season, 13 of them as a starting eleven player. He has one goal and one assist to his name so far.
In terms of his profile, the Belgian youth international is very similar to Goretzka. He is also a dynamic box-to-box player who can play both at number eight and number six. With his enormous physicality, strong positioning and ability to bridge spaces at pace, he is exactly the type of player Bayern are looking for in central midfield.
The fact that he has so much playing time despite his young age speaks to his great potential. His market value is currently estimated at around seven million euros – a sum that is likely to rise significantly if he is signed in the summer of 2026. De Cat’s contract at Anderlecht runs until 2027.
Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg also underlines how serious Bayern are: „They are moving forward and are currently looking at many options. They are early, also with a view to the summer.“
Interesting fact: In addition to Bayern, Borussia Dortmund are also said to be interested in the 17-year-old. BVB have been regarded as a port of call for top talent for years – so a duel between the two German heavyweights could be on the cards.
Why a Goretzka departure is becoming increasingly likely
As strong as Bayern’s interest in de Cat is, Goretzka’s departure is also clearly on the horizon. The midfielder’s contract expires in 2026 – and there are currently no signs that the record champions are looking to extend it.
Plettenberg puts it clearly: „As things stand today, I don’t think Bayern will extend the contract. The fact that they are looking for someone also speaks for this.“
Goretzka has provided important moments in recent years, but is also struggling with fluctuations in form and increasing competitive pressure. The club is planning for the long term – and apparently wants to reposition itself in central midfield.