Schalke's Leon Goretzka's best goals in the Bundesliga
Goretzka was widely expected to leave Schalke in the summer, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
Initially, Bayern Munich and Barcelona appeared to be in pole position to secure his signature.
Bayern are always looking to sign the best German players on the planet, as shown by their captures of Manuel Neuer, Mario Gotze and Mats Hummels over the last decade.
Barcelona, however, looked likely to go for him after failing to lure Philippe Coutinho away from Liverpool.
A transfer ultimately never happened with both European juggernauts opting against signing Goretzka.
But Catalan newspaper Sport say Premier League duo Chelsea and Liverpool are now best-placed to sign him.
The Blues could make him their long-term replacement for Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas remains a popular figure at Stamford Bridge but may depart if a contract extension is not put on the table.
Liverpool, meanwhile, might make him their Coutinho replacement.
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Chelsea and Liverpool are leading the race for Schalke prodigy Leon Goretzka
Barcelona are expected to pursue the Brazilian again in January and the Reds’ hopes of holding onto him appear remote.
Meanwhile, Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff appeared to hint that Goretzka had already decided to move to England.
“We feel that England, because of the amount of money you have with TV rights, young talented players like Leroy Sané and [Schalke’s] Leon Goretzka are moving to England and this is not good for our league but also for the quality of our game,” said Bierhoff.
“We have to pay attention and invest again and again in the education of our coaches.”
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