According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have been given a boost in their reported quest  for Germany international star Leon Goretzka.

 The Premier League side, who contentedly thrashed rock bottom Crystal Palace 4-nil at Old Trafford at the weekend, have been linked with the Schalke midfielder ahead of the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old, who has ten international caps for his country, has scored 2 goals & provided one assist in 8 appearances in all competitions so far this season for the Bundesliga outfit. 

Goretzka, who is also thought to be a transfer target for German rivals Bayern Munich, has netted seventeen times in 126 games overall for Schalke since joining the club from Bochum back in the summer of 2013.

However, The Red Devils’ battle with European heavyweight opponents for the central midfielder’s signature has been helped by the news that FC Barcelona have withdrawn from the race to sign the German gem.

Goretzka was part of the Germany squad that won the Confederations Cup in Russia earlier this summer.

His current deal at Schalke expires in June, 2018.