Report: Arsenal leading the race to sign Bayern Munich star this summer — and more

Leon Goretzka Transfer Latest as Arsenal Circle Bayern Midfielder

Arsenal’s summer planning appears to have taken a compelling turn. According to reporting credited to CFBayernInsider, Leon Goretzka is edging towards the end of his Bayern Munich chapter, and North London may yet become his next stage.

The German international will depart Bayern when his contract expires, closing a significant era in Bavaria. For Mikel Arteta, this represents opportunity. Arsenal explored a deal in January, yet timing and loyalty intervened. Goretzka had given his word to see out the season in Munich. That decision spoke to character. It also delayed what could prove a decisive move.

Midfield Experience Arsenal Could Value

Arsenal’s midfield is not short of energy or invention. Declan Rice anchors with authority, Martin Odegaard orchestrates, and depth options offer variety. Yet elite teams crave layers of experience, particularly in European competition. Goretzka, 31, has accumulated seasons of Champions League football, domestic titles, and international tournaments.

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He has made 21 Bundesliga appearances this term, scoring twice, although recent selections have favoured Aleksandar Pavlovic. Even so, his profile remains clear. Powerful, tactically disciplined, and capable of arriving late in the box, he fits the mould of a seasoned operator who can steady high stakes fixtures.

Premier League Pull and Italian Interest

Interest extends beyond England. Inter Milan, alongside AC Milan and Juventus, are attentive. Christian Falk told CFBayern:

“It is TRUE: Inter Milan have a chance of signing Leon Goretzka this summer. Inter had a bad week in the Champions League, and now they’re discussing what they sorely need to add to their squad. An experienced player like Leon Goretzka, who is also very physical, could help this team. In Italy, age isn’t as big a factor as it is in the Bundesliga or England, which primarily likes to invest in young players. So, it’s not only InteSr who are interested, there’s also AC Milan and Juventus. I’m not sure if he’d decide to go to Serie A if he also has an offer from the Premier League. Of course, he first needs an offer from England, and it’s worth bearing in mind that he is 31 years old. However, I heard that Goretzka’s main target is the Premier League but he’s also interested in Italy.”

That final line matters. Preference can tilt negotiations. Arsenal, pursuing sustained Champions League participation, can offer both stage and structure.

Strategic Fit Under Arteta

Arteta has emphasised control and adaptability. A free transfer of this calibre reduces financial risk while adding tactical nuance. Goretzka can operate as a holding midfielder or in a more advanced role, pressing aggressively and recovering possession.

There is no guarantee, nor should there be. Arsenal’s recruitment model has focused on peak age assets with resale value. Yet winning squads often include figures who elevate standards behind the scenes. If Goretzka seeks the Premier League as his main target, Arsenal may find the path unexpectedly clear.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Arsenal supporter’s perspective, this report stirs intrigue. Goretzka brings pedigree. Champions League nights demand composure, and Arsenal’s youthful core has sometimes lacked that final layer of authority in decisive moments.

At 31, he would not be a long term project. That may concern some fans who prefer investment in emerging talent. However, free transfers shift the equation. If wages remain sensible, adding a physically dominant, tactically mature midfielder could strengthen rotation without blocking development.

There is also the psychological element. Competing with Tottenham for the same target adds narrative weight. More importantly, beating Italian giants to a signature would signal ambition. Supporters want to see Arsenal act decisively in markets where opportunity arises.

Questions remain about minutes and role. Would he start in Champions League ties, or rotate domestically after 2-1 wins that demand control late on? That clarity will matter.

Still, if Goretzka truly views the Premier League as his main target, Arsenal should test that intent. Experience, leadership, and versatility rarely arrive without a transfer fee. This feels like a calculated gamble worth considering.

Melker Ellborg: 8/10

A couple of nervy moments with his kicking early on but then settled down and looked very comfortable. Wasn’t troubled from set pieces, made some good punches out and made some decent saves, one from a free kick and then a near post effort with his arm late on.

Luke O’Nien (C): 8/10

Had a little trouble early on, but with the help of Angulo, saw out the danger and grew into the game. Often used his strength and reading of the game to see the ball out of the play when Leeds threatened down that side.

Dan Ballard: 9/10

Was so good in the air all night, throwing himself at so many crosses and comfortably coming out on top in the battle with Calvert Lewin.

Omar Alderete: 8/10

Like his centre half partner, he was a wall at the back. Constantly in the way at set pieces and cross. Some dodgy moments when he got himself out position or turned into trouble but still a colossal effort.

Trai Hume: 9/10

Hume was so good defensively tonight, not giving Leeds any room to manoeuvre down his side of the pitch. Quick to close down and put a tackle in.

Lutsharel Geertruida: 6/10

Protected the defence well enough in the middle of the pitch but didn’t have much influence on the game, steady on the ball at least.

Noah Sadiki: 7/10

Got around the pitch as usual but was a little subdued on the ball, plenty of effort though. Got a bit lucky when he gave the ball away cheaply near our own corner flag in the first half.

Habib Diarra: 7/10

Like Sadiki, he struggled to impose himself on the ball but was always closing down at pace when Leeds had possession. Stepped up when it mattered to convert the penalty.

Enzo Le Fee: 7/10

Worked so hard off the ball to help out Hume and the midfielders, .

Nilson Angulo: 8/10

He was positive on the ball all night, looking dangerous whenever he had it, but put in a great effort defensively to help out O’Nien. Constantly tracking back and using his pace to nullify Gudmunsson.

Eliezer Mayenda: 5/10

Barely involved tonight, was offside too often and his only real opportunity was barely a half chance following Ballard’s header from a set piece.

Substitutes

Granit Xhaka: 7/10

Helped us over the line with his clever first time passing and getting into the right position to block a pass.

Wilson Isidor: 6/10

Had a part in winning the penalty when his effort was eventually handled by Ampadu.

Bertrand Traore: N/A

Only had a couple of minutes on the pitch, gave the ball away cheaply but then did great to recover and prevent a counter attack, seemingly injured himself as a result.

Chris Rigg: 6/10

A late change for Traore, helped us see out of the game.

Man of the Match: Dan Ballard

Lots of really good defensive performances tonight and a great clean sheet for Ellborg on his debut, my man of the match was Dan Ballard though who showed how well deserved the new contract was. An absolute brick wall at the back, got the better of Calvert Lewin time and time again and was dominant in the air from start to finish.

With the Catalan giants looking to overturn a four-goal deficit on Tuesday evening, riot police were deployed to guard against disorder as raucous fans gathered outside the stadium.

The NFL’s annual game of tag has come to an end – and four guys are it.

The league’s deadline to apply franchise and transition tags, mechanisms designed to reward pending free agents while simultaneously hindering their ability to test the market, expired March 3 at 4 p.m. ET. Aside from Jets RB Breece Hall, Colts QB Daniel Jones, Cowboys WR George Pickens and Falcons TE Kyle Pitts, every other NFL player on an expiring contract is now free to test the free agent market – its negotiating window set to open March 9 (new deals can be signed March 11).

As for those who got tagged? Some will win, some will lose, some are born to sing the blues:

WINNERS

Daniel Jones

The Colts quarterback – at least until he ruptured his Achilles last December – received the transition tag Tuesday, the first QB to get one since 1996. And while it stands to reason Indy will find a way to keep a quarterback who had a career year in 2025, despite the injury, and had revitalized the club to that point, this development is also pretty good news for Jones. The tag ensures Jones will make $37.8 million in 2026 … if he plays on it. But given the Colts wouldn’t receive any compensation if another team tries to pry Jones away – little reason for other teams not to consider offer sheets that could only escalate his market in a year when QBs should be in high demand.

we have placed the transition tag on QB Daniel Jones.

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) March 3, 2026

Alec Pierce

Jones’ primary deep threat in Indy, Pierce avoided the tag after the Colts were compelled to use it on the quarterback. A second-round pick by Indianapolis in 2022, Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch each of the past two seasons and is coming off his first 1,000-yard receiving campaign. Decent chance he re-signs with the Colts … better chance he takes the opportunity to fully explore his market first given he could make north of $20 million annually.

Trey Hendrickson

Worth wondering if he likes George Michael’s music – if so, Hendrickson surely has “Freedom” blasting after his financial battles with the Cincinnati Bengals in recent years. Despite being injured and missing 10 games in 2025, the 35 total sacks Hendrickson collected the previous two seasons should still earn him a massive contract.

Tyler Linderbaum

Despite fielding what Ravens GM Eric DeCosta deemed “a market-setting offer,” the three-time Pro Bowl center is set to go free – if only temporarily – and gauge what could be the most lucrative market anyone explores this offseason, and almost certainly so among non-QBs.

Kenneth Walker III

The Super Bowl MVP was not tagged by the Seattle Seahawks. He’ll get (financially) bagged quite handsomely, likely by another team. If he moves on, Walker would become the fourth Super Bowl MVP to switch clubs going into the subsequent season.

George Pickens

He’s guaranteed $27.3 million in 2026 if he plays on the tag!

LOSERS

George Pickens

If he plays on the tag, that presumably means a lengthy, failed negotiation with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones … and very likely an unhappy player expected to skip most, if not all, of the offseason.

Kenneth Walker III

Hard to believe the grass will be a brighter shade of Action Green (one of Seattle’s official colors) wherever he might head next – assuming he does. Also, much harder to believe he’ll be playing for another Super Bowl MVP next season in a different uniform.

Breece Hall

He wasn’t thrilled to see high-profile former teammates Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams leave the Jets at last year’s trade deadline – when it seemed Hall might also get liberated. But remaining hitched to, arguably, the league’s worst team maybe isn’t so bad when you’re guaranteed $14.3 million in 2026 – even if it’s not exactly Saquon Barkley-level lettuce – and might soon be a foundational piece of a much-improved roster if the NYJ can successfully convert all of their draft and cap capital over the next few years. If. At least Hall managed to keep any emotions out of his thumbs Tuesday.

Always been the type to bet on myself. Been working…see yall soon, Love🤞🏾

— Breece Hall (@BreeceH) March 3, 2026

Baltimore Ravens

Offensive line was a serious issue in Charm City last year, but now the team stands to lose Linderbaum, arguably QB Lamar Jackson’s most reliable bodyguard. But given tag values are formulated by the top-paid offensive linemen, DeCosta couldn’t well franchise Linderbaum and effectively afford him left tackle-caliber compensation.

Indianapolis Colts

By failing to get extensions done with Jones and Pierce, they’ll now be lucky to pay top dollar in order to retain both. And, don’t forget, GM Chris Ballard has no first-round pick this year after obtaining Gardner at last year’s trade deadline.        

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL franchise tag deadline winners, losers: Who fared best?