FRANKFURT: Bayern Munich have undertaken earlier than usual the traditional fishing trip among their German Bundesliga rivals by agreeing the end-of-season purchase of Leon Goretzka from Schalke.

The attacking midfielder was an impressive member of the German national team who won the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia last summer.

Bayern ceo Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “We are delighted that Leon Goretzka, a Germany international with great prospects, decided to join FC Bayern despite competition from big-name clubs from abroad. This means Leon Goretzka will remain in the Bundesliga.”

The 22-year-old is out of contract with Schalke whose sports director Christian Heidel said: “Leon Goretzka informed us at the start of this week that he wanted to leave the club and join Bayern. We are losing a very, very good player.”

Bayern’s high-profile signings from Schalke in the recent past have included national team goalkeeper Manuel Neuer while they have repeatedly targeted Borussia Dortmund, notably for Mario Gozte and Robert Lewandowski.

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