Barcelona have denied reports of ongoing negotiations with Leon Goretzka, dismissing speculation that the German midfielder is being lined up as a replacement for the injured Frenkie de Jong.
Softfootball understands that there are currently no active talks between Barcelona and Goretzka, despite recent claims suggesting the Catalan club had identified the former Bayern Munich star as a priority midfield target.
The rumours emerged after De Jong suffered a right medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear, an injury expected to keep the Dutch international sidelined for several months at the beginning of the 2026-27 season. His absence has naturally intensified speculation over potential reinforcements, but Barcelona are not actively pursuing Goretzka at this stage.
Goretzka is expected to make a decision on his future soon, with reports indicating the 31-year-old is available after leaving Bayern Munich as a free agent. His experience and quality continue to attract interest from several European clubs.
For now, though, Barcelona’s focus remains on managing De Jong’s absence internally rather than accelerating a move for Goretzka, bringing an end to speculation linking the experienced midfielder with a switch to Camp Nou.
