Goretzka’s free agency opens Atlético Madrid’s midfield race

Leon Goretzka’s status as a free agent this week has put the 31-year-old German midfielder on Atlético Madrid’s radar, with his representatives submitting a proposal to Los Colchoneros.

The Bayern Munich midfielder’s contract expires on June 30, 2026, making him eligible to join Atlético without a transfer fee. His representatives have included Atlético Madrid among potential destinations as he explores options across Europe. The move follows Atlético’s ongoing midfield recruitment drive, which has seen sporting director Alemany oversee a shortlist of targets at varying price points.

Alemany previously targeted Goretzka in the January transfer window, with reports indicating Atlético had tabled a nominal fee of €2-3 million to sign him mid-season. Bayern resisted the approach, and Goretzka opted to run down his contract, leaving on his own terms in the summer. That episode confirms mutual interest existed at one stage, though it does not guarantee Atlético will act on the current proposal.

The central obstacle remains Goretzka’s reported annual salary at Bayern of approximately €15 million gross, a figure AS acknowledges sits beyond Atlético’s realistic budget. That single factor carries more weight than any other in determining whether this develops into a genuine pursuit, with AS’s report stopping short of suggesting Atlético has found a solution.

Footballing grounds for a potential deal are easier to construct. Goretzka is 1.89 metres tall, covers significant ground over 90 minutes, and can operate as a ball-winner or late runner into the opposition area—traits that align with Atlético’s hybrid midfield roles under Simeone. He made 48 appearances for Bayern this season, playing 2,349 minutes and contributing five goals and five assists, indicating he remains a reliable operator despite no longer being an automatic starter.

The age question—he turns 32 in February—is less critical in Simeone’s system, which has prioritised experience and tactical compliance over youth in midfield. Koke’s strong season and Cardoso’s underwhelming debut campaign have reinforced Atlético’s need to strengthen the position, though salary expectations may yet prove insurmountable.

Atlético’s midfield search extends beyond Goretzka, with Kang-in Lee also emerging as a concurrent target this summer. The club’s options reflect the breadth of profiles Simeone’s staff are assessing as they refine their requirements.

Morten Hjulmand of Sporting CP is among the players most favoured within Atlético’s sporting structure, with a potential fee of €40-45 million cited by AS. That sum represents a significant but not impossible investment if the wage envelope aligns, though Goretzka’s free status removes one financial barrier only to introduce another in the form of his salary demands.

Atlético’s discussions have also extended to Premier League clubs, underscoring the competitive nature of their midfield recruitment. Goretzka’s proposal enters a crowded internal process rather than a clear vacancy, with multiple avenues being explored simultaneously.