22-year-old Arsenal target to decide future during winter break amid several interests

German Bundesliga side Schalke expect Arsenal, Barcelona, and Manchester United transfer target Leon Goretzka to decide on his future before the Bundesliga winter break ends.

The 22-year-old is in the last year of his current deal at the club and will be free to talk to foreign clubs and agree on a pre-contract deal as of January 1. The German side have not lost hope of convincing the player to sign a new contract, however, and hope a club transfer record offer of £10.7million-yearly will convince him to remain at the Bundesliga side.

But European giant have other ideas, with Barcelona officials meeting with the German star during last month international break to negotiate a transfer next summer.

Juventus chief Beppe Marotta has also said his team will make enquiry for the star midfielder, with North London giants Arsenal and Manchester United the two English side credited with solid interests.

The Bundesliga side will not sell Goretzka during the winter transfer window but they anticipate sides will start to formally reach out to their player as of January 1. And club CEO Christian Heidel is hoping that by that time, Goretkza will have already decided over whether the German side have an opportunity of retaining him.

Schalke will play Eintracht Frankfurt on December 16 before the break, returning to duty away to RB Leipzig on January 13.