German midfielder Leon Goretzka will see out the final year of his Schalke contract, before joining Bayern Munich on a free transfer.

• Goretzka is expected to join Bayern at the end of his contract
  
• Arsenal were heavily linked with him

The German international has just 12 months remaining on his current Schalke contract and is widely expected to leave the club next summer. Arsenal were heavily linked with him and thought they could do a cut price deal.

However, reports from Germany claim that Goretzka has already agreed to join Bayern Munich. The midfielder is expected to see out the final year of his deal before joining Bayern on a free transfer next summer.

The news will be a blow to Arsenal, who are somewhat in the market for a central midfielder due to the concerns over Santi Cazorla’s fitness. Goretzka is a robust midfielder who impressed for Germany during the Confederations Cup with his tireless running and late runs into the opposition penalty area.