Leon Goretzka's future in jeopardy amid Bayern Munich's transition

After a trophy-less season, the Rekordmeister, under new manager Vincent Kompany, have faced a major overhaul with several new arrivals, including Joao Palhinha, Hiroki Ito and Michael Olise.

Bayern's bid to reclaim their dominant position in German football was also hampered by the need for player sales. Recent departures of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United have further complicated the situation.

Goretzka's role within this new setup has become increasingly ambiguous. With Joshua Kimmich shifting from right-back to a central midfield role, Bayern's midfield now boasts significant depth.

Alongside Kimmich, Goretzka, 29, faces competition from Konrad Laimer, Palhinha, Aleksandar Pavlovic and even Raphael Guerreiro, who can also play in midfield.

In a recent preseason match against Tottenham Hotspur, Goretzka remained an unused substitute, sparking concerns about his place in Kompany's plans for the season.

According to Frank Linkesch of Kicker, Goretzka's prospects of featuring prominently this season appear slim.

With his contract at Bayern running until the summer of 2026, Goretzka is at a crucial juncture. The club will be keen to avoid a scenario where he enters the final year of his deal with unresolved intentions.

Despite previously expressing a commitment to fighting for his place at Bayern, recent developments may prompt a reevaluation.

This is particularly poignant for a player who, alongside Kimmich, had once signed an extension with the expectation of being central to Bayern's future success.