Vincent Kompany brutally axes Bayern Munich star from squad as Harry Kane and Co. prepare for season opener

According to Kicker, the Belgian manager has decided to exclude a match-fit Leon Goretzka from his squad to send a message that the midfielder is no longer in his plans. The club have already strengthened their midfield options with the signing of Joao Palhinha from Fulham, a robust presence who is expected to make an immediate impact. Additionally, Aleksandar Pavlovic is set to have a more prominent role this season, whereas, Kompany can also always rely on Joshua Kimmich.

Sky Germany reporter, Florian Plettenberg, further mentioned that although the writing on the wall for Goretzka has been clear the midfielder remains resolute in his desire to stay at Bayern and fight for his place. However, with Bayern putting him on the transfer market, the reality is that Goretzka's future at the Allianz Arena looks increasingly uncertain.

So far, Bayern have not received any solid offers for Goretzka, despite his availability. While Napoli and Atletico Madrid have been loosely linked with the German international, neither club has made a concrete move. Both teams are reportedly focusing on other midfield targets, given his €17 million (£14.5m/$19m) salary, leaving Goretzka in a precarious position.

Goretzka’s journey at Bayern Munich began in 2018 when he joined from Schalke. Over the past five years, he has been a vital part of the squad, making 221 appearances across all competitions and scoring 40 goals. His contributions have helped Bayern secure five Bundesliga titles but recent developments indicate that his time at the club could be coming to an abrupt end.

With his contract running until 2026, Goretzka is under no immediate pressure to leave, but if he wants to revive his international career, he may need to explore other options. Missing out on the Germany squad for Euro 2024 was a significant blow for him. And if he hopes to get back into the plans of Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann, finding regular playing time will be crucial. Hence making a move away from the Allianz Arena may increasingly become an attractive option for the player.