Julen Lopetegui has the chance to pull off a transfer masterstroke in January with previously linked West Ham target Leon Goretzka said to be “upset” at Bayern Munich.
The Sun reported (17 September) that the Hammers and Manchester United are among previous suitors of the Germany international and added several Premier League clubs are on “red alert”.
The Irons were heavily linked with a move for the Germany international during the 2023 summer transfer window (Florian Plettenberg), though a switch never materialised.
But an admission from Bayern’s director of sport Max Eberl suggested he could be available again soon.
Leon Goretzka to come back on West Ham radar?
The Sun story quoted Eberl as saying: “Leon’s a great guy. I like him a lot, even though he’s obviously upset at the moment. I understand that too. But that’s part of life in football.”
West Ham went through an extensive recruitment drive during the summer, which included a couple of midfield additions in the form of Guido Rodriguez and Carlos Soler.
So, on the face of it, the Irons are already well stocked in the middle of the park, especially when you consider the likes of Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez are also on the books.
That being said, if you have the chance to sign a player like Goretzka you need to take it and he could be a statement signing.
Goretzka is a serial winner, with five Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy to his name.
With his contract coming to an end in June 2026, the West Ham-linked man could be a major coup for the Hammers.
Doing so might ruffle a few feathers of players already in the squad and there is the possibility that the big-money spend during the summer means the funds aren’t available to sanction a marquee signing like this.
But the chance to sign a player of the German’s ilk might be one the Hammers feel they cannot pass up.
