The 22 year old Schalke midfielder, Lewis Holtby has been a potential target for Arsenal and Liverpool for sometime now. Holtby’s contract ends this season and it is his decision whether to leave in January or for a free transfer next summer. Before the Bundesliga winter break started, Holtby talking about the interest in him from the English clubs said:
“It was a dream to play in the Premier League and it was a team like Arsenal I would like to play for.”
However, Arsenal now have to face competition from North London rivals Tottenham and German giants Bayern Munich to secure Lewis Holtby‘s signing. The winger has rejected new terms at Schalke and can leave on a Bosman in June.
The Mail on Sunday says Holtby will talk with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham in January to discuss a possible move in the summer. If Arsenal fail to match Schalke‘s valuation for the player, then they could open the gate for their rivals to swoop in. Tottenham who are looking for a perfect replacement for Real Madrid bound midfielder Luka Modric are desperate for a chance to talk to Holtby.
Likewise Liverpool and Bayern Munich are also interested in the player. Relying solely on Steven Gerrard’s creativity is not an option for the Reds anymore. Though they have the likes of Allen and shelvey in midfield, it is a player of Holtby‘s talents and a spark of creativity that is needed in the Merseyside.
And lastly fellow German club and league leaders Bayern Munich are also interested in the midfielder. Holtby could be in the center of the Bayern’s midfield and form a creative nucleus with Bastian Schweinsteiger. Though his agent has denied the rumours of any enquiries from Bayern, the German club are very much interested in landing the player at Allianz arena.