LEON GORETZKA

Who is he? Where does he play?

He is a 17 year old German midfielder playing in the Bundesliga. 2 for VFL Bochum. 

Is that it? 

I'm sorry, but the obscurity of it all means we are struggling for information on the Bochum youth graduate who has blossomed during his first season since his transition from WSV to VFL in his hometown club. He has impressed so much during his first year that Hanover 96 are toying with the idea of signing him for the summer.

How is he doing then?

The second tier of the German league isn't the best gauge of quality, but nobody can argue with the impact he has made during his first year as a professional. From midfield he has scored 2 goals and has garnered 6 assists from 21 appearances. The versatile teenager, able to play anywhere in the midfield although mainly operating as a central creative force, captained the German under-17's to victory in last year's European Championship success.

Not another German talent, they'll win things for years!?

It's looking that way, although there's nothing wrong with that considering all the money they have invested into producing fine technical players, Mario Gotze, Lars Bender and Emre Can who have all won the gold medal in the Fritz Walter award under-17 category in recent years. Goretzka won that accolade last year.

Will Hannover get him then?

He is contracted to Bochum until 2016 but a stay beyond the summer is unlikely and he is valued at an estimated 3.5 million euros. Clubs in the past linked with the midfielder have generically been Bayern Munich, Manchesters City and United etc. but genuine interest has been mentioned from Arsenal, who have sent scouts to watch him several times, and Barcelona, who had an approach rejected for the talented youngster rejected last summer according to German media outlet Kicker.
News that Hanover are nearing the signature of Goretzka with peripheral negotiations underway between the two clubs being reported here at Goal.Com 

http://www.goal.com/de/news/968/transfernews/2013/01/30/3711716/hannover-96-will-leon-goretzka?source=breakingnews&ICID=HP_BN_15#

"Goretzka is a subject with which we are concerned," Hanover manager Jörg Schmadtke confirmed to image. Even in Bochum is known of the plans of Lower Saxony. "Yes, I've heard that Hanover has put out feelers," said manager Jens Todt. Mirko Slomka, the coach of the Hanoverian, admitted that he was on the phone with the player's agent.