Romano Rules Out Goretzka to Barça Despite De Jong Injury Gap

FC Barcelona’s midfield planning for the new season has been complicated by Frenkie de Jong’s knee injury, sustained during the 2026 World Cup, which will keep the Dutch midfielder sidelined for several months. The absence has prompted speculation that the Catalans would move to fill the gap, with free agent Leon Goretzka among the names circulating – but Fabrizio Romano has moved to put that particular link to rest.

As Romano has reported, Barcelona are not working on a deal for Goretzka and are not in active talks with the former Bayern Munich midfielder. Romano explained why the rumour took hold: de Jong’s extended absence, Goretzka’s availability at no transfer cost following the expiry of his Bayern contract at the end of last month, and the existing relationship between the Germany international and Hansi Flick from their time together in Munich. The logic of the link was sound enough – the substance was not.

“One name that is being linked with several clubs, especially with Barcelona, is Leon Goretzka. Why does this rumour exist? Because Frenkie de Jong will be out for a few months after suffering an injury with the Dutch national team, and Goretzka is an important player currently available on a free after leaving Bayern Munich.

“Goretzka has that connection with Hansi Flick, so there are rumours about the possibility that we could see him going to Barcelona to replace Frenkie de Jong. According to my information, Barcelona are not working on Goretzka at this stage, nor are they in active talks for him.”

De Jong has opted against surgery and will instead follow a conservative rehabilitation programme, which still projects him out for a significant stretch of the season. Barça have also reportedly shown interest in Rodri as a potential reinforcement, though that option would represent a considerably more complex and costly operation than a free agent pickup.

The more immediate concern for Flick is the shape of his midfield options at the start of the campaign. With Pedri and Gavi both expected to return late after representing Spain at the World Cup, the Blaugrana head into preseason with Marc Bernal and Marc Casado as the central midfielders available at full fitness from the outset. That is a thin complement for a team with title ambitions, even accounting for the tactical flexibility Flick has shown in deploying his squad.

Barcelona’s midfield planning in the wake of De Jong’s injury points toward a preference for internal solutions rather than an emergency signing, at least at this stage. Signing a replacement is not currently a priority according to reporting around the club, though the situation could shift if rehabilitation setbacks lengthen the timeline further or if Flick judges the depth genuinely insufficient once the competitive season begins.