Manchester United rival host of clubs in January bidding war for Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka

SCHALKE'S star midfielder Leon Goretzka is currently at the centre of a bidding war between four different clubs.

The 22-year-old has rejected a new contract with the Bundesliga side and will become a free agent next summer.

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Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all on red alert and set to put out all the stops for the German playmaker.

According to Italian newspaper TuttoSport, Goretzka is in high demand and there are no moves by Schalke to offer a bigger and better contract extension.

Instead Schalke plan to cash in on the German international in January to avoid losing him on a free.

If he plans a more to Manchester United he will be close to his international team-mates Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane.

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Yet with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus monitoring his situation, it is believed Goretzka favours a move to England.

With the January window just around the corner, Schalke should expect more clubs to join the race for the midfielder.

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Just last week Manchester City had registered their interest in Goretzka.

Goretzka took part in  Schalke's 4-4 draw with Borussia Dortmund yesterday.

Goretzka was benched for 33 minutes of the game but then came on for Di Santo.

Dortmund were four goals up after 25 minutes against Schalke before the visitors hit back, equalising in the 94th minute.