Barcelona, Liverpool and Arsenal target Leon Goretzka suffers broken leg but Schalke admit he will still leave
ARSENAL, Liverpool and Barcelona target Leon Goretzka has suffered a broken leg - but Schalke admit he will still leave the club this season.
The Germany international has sustained a stress fracture in his lower leg as reports link him with a move to the Nou Camp.
Goretzka's contract expires at the end of the season and it is believed the 22-year-old will join Ernesto Valverde's side in a snub to the Prem giants.
Schalke have admitted they can no longer hold onto their star player.
The club's sporting director Christian Heidel said: "We have done everything possible. We can't do anything else.
"We are trying to convince him, also financially. We are trying to look for the best way to convince him to stay, but without putting pressure on him."
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Manchester United had also expressed an interest in Goretzka but it appears his future lies with the current La Liga leaders.
It is thought a conversation with German compatriot Marc-Andre ter Stegen sealed it for Goretzka.
WHO IS LEON GORETZKA? Read profile on the Prem target
The Barca keeper explained the benefits of living in Barca and training with arguably the word's finest team and that was enough to convince his pal.
The midfielder has missed his Bundesliga side's past two games but coach Dominic Tedesco believes he can recover from his setback quickly - though not in time for Saturday's clash against Freiburg.
He said: "Leon Goretzka will miss the game against Freiburg.
"He needs time to rest and recuperate. We are confident he will recover quickly."