Report: Schalke's Goretzka to join Bayern on free transfer next summer

Bayern Munich has reportedly completed a deal to sign FC Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer next summer.

The German international, who will complete the season with Schalke, is expected to sign a contract with Bayern in the new year before joining the current Bundesliga title holder in July, according to BILD's Christian Falk.

It's unknown if Schalke has granted permission for Bayern to negotiate with Goretzka, as only teams from outside of Germany are free to arrange deals with players who are in the final months of their respective contracts.

Goretzka has reportedly been the target of several top European clubs, including Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, since he opened the season without a contract beyond 2017-18.

According to Falk, however, Goretzka informed his Schalke teammates in May of his desire to join the Bavarian club.

Ralphael Honigstein of ESPN FC speculates the 22-year-old's arrival at the Allianz Arena could result in Bayern moving on from Arturo Vidal, who plays a similar box-to-box role.

Goretzka has scored four goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances this season, including three in his last five matches. He was also the top scorer (three) last summer when he helped Germany win the Confederations Cup.