What Bayern Munich legends think of Leon Goretzka as Aston Villa close in on deal

Aston Villa are in talks to sign Leon Goretzka after he left Bayern Munich as a free agent at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old called time on eight years with the German giants, for whom he made over 300 appearances and won countless major honours.

Even last season, the midfielder made 48 appearances across all competitions, starting 25 Bundesliga games.

Goretzka would bring huge experience and quality to Villa, even if he is not the player he once was for Bayern.

The German does reportedly demand significant wages, hence his continued availability, but the Villans will hope that the offer of Champions League football will see those reduced.

It has been a summer of change for Unai Emery's squad, with the midfield hit especially hard both by the exits of Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, and by Amadou Onana's ACL injury.

What Vincent Kompany thought of Leon Goretzka

Goretzka enjoyed a superb career with Bayern, scoring 51 goals for the club and winning the Bundesliga seven times.

By the end of his career with the German champions, however, the midfielder was not the same player and his exit seemed inevitable, despite how much he continued to play.

Vincent Kompany, who took over Bayern in 2024, continued to defend Goretzka publicly, despite growing concerns over his place in the squad.

"Leon's development is good for the team. There are other lads who're in a phase that's not so good. Leon has always worked hard, he's always been hungry in training. It's a good thing for Leon and the other lads," he said in 2025 after the German scored a brace against Wolfsburg.

There was a growing feeling that his time at Bayern was to come to an end, however, and it was announced in January that he would leave.

The club confirmed that "good and open" talks had taken place with Goretzka, which decided that he would depart at the end of his contract.

"Leon was always an important player at Bayern and kept showing what it means to be an absolute professional and to fight," Kompany said upon his exit.

What Bayern legends have said about Goretzka

A box-to-box midfielder, Goretzka is unlikely to be thrown into the starting line-up at Villa but will certainly provide an interesting option.

The 31-year-old remains energetic and physical, with the Premier League potentially a league suited his assets.

The German's Bayern and Germany teammates have been supportive of him over the years, with several publicly praising him.

"From the work ethic and the way Leon stands on the pitch and shows presence, it's true that he has a certain charisma that has an effect on the opponents. And I hope that it continues to be that way," said Manuel Neuer in 2024.

Early on in Goretzka's career, Bayern legend Thomas Muller was already a big fan. "He's an excellent footballer and also a good guy. I think that applies to his playing style as well," he said in 2018.

"Someone you can really like because he's simply energetic, athletic, and technically gifted."

Villa will now hope to benefit from those qualities, with Goretzka set to bolster Emery's new-look midfield.