Bayern shuts Arsenal out: late bid for Goretzka falters as Munich keeps him till summer
6 February 2026
Late in the window, Bayern's door stays shut on Arsenal bid
The final hours of the winter transfer window were busy across Europe, with deals struck at pace while others stalled. Arsenal, who lead the Premier League, pushed hard in the dying moments to sign German international Leon Goretzka, the 31-year-old midfielder.
What happened and what's next
Bayern Munich had announced last week that Goretzka's contract would end at the season's end and that he would depart after the campaign.
Since arriving from Schalke in 2018, he has been a mainstay of Bayern's midfield, though this season under Vincent Kompany he has not been trusted as before.
According to Bild, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was keen to reinforce the midfield with a veteran who brings experience, physicality and leadership. The English club reportedly made a late bid, but Bayern's board rejected it.
The same source says Goretzka decided to stay in Munich until next summer, to finish the current season with balance and to think carefully about his future ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Despite his physicality and fighting spirit, he won't feature in the Premier League this season, and a future move to England remains a possibility while he stays in the Bundesliga.
Punchline 1: Bayern locked the door so tight even Arsenal’s scouting team forgot where the door is.
Punchline 2: If patience were a sport, Arsenal would have a trophy by now—tonight’s target stayed put, and the coffee might have cooled first.
