Mario Götze Set to Leave Dortmund This Summer, Roma Linked

Flashback to July 13, 2014: Mario Götze was on top of the world. At the time, he was a 22-year-old rising star for Bayern Munich and the German National Team. He’d just scored an extra time goal that sealed Germany’s 1-0 World Cup clinching victory over Argentina at the Maracana. Götze had made himself a household name around the world with that goal. His potential looked limitless.

After exploding onto the scene with Borussia Dortmund under Jurgen Klopp, Götze made a big money move to giants Bayern in the summer of 2013. After two strong seasons to open his tenure in Bavaria, Götze struggled in his third, prompting a return to Dortmund in 2016.

Since then, it's been a mixed bag for Götze. He suffered with a “mystery illness” in his first season back. That was followed with another mediocre campaign, before he bounced back last season with 7 goals and 7 assists in the league campaign. However, this season has seen Götze struggle for minutes under manager Lucien Favre.

With negotiations breaking down earlier in the year on an extension, Götze is poised to see out his four-year deal and become a free agent this summer. And wouldn’t you know, Roma has made contact with his agent according to media reports.

If Roma were to find a way to pull this off, Götze could be an interesting signing for Roma. Götze has all the talent in the world and if given the proper chance could rediscover his best form under an attack-minded manager like Paulo Fonseca. The German is an attacking midfielder, who, when he’s at his best, can contribute both goals and assists. Just look at his numbers from last season in 26 league matches (19 starts).

Götze will only turn 28-years-old in June, which suggests he’s still got a few prime years ahead of him. If Petrachi were to pull this off it has the feel of another Smalling or Mkhitaryan type reclamation project; the difference being that it would be a Bosman move rather than loan deal.

Like Mkhitaryan, Götze could contribute across the three attacking midfield positions. And he’s even played as a false 9 at times in his career, which could add an interesting change-up to the Roma attack from time to time. So, if he were to arrive, it feels like Götze would replace Mkhitaryan on the Roma roster. A sort of later move that could save Roma the cost of negotiating a permanent deal with Arsenal for the Armenian.

Götze will want to move to a club where he can take on an important role as he signs likely his last important contract. Could Roma provide that opportunity without stunting the growth of players like Pellegrini, Zaniolo, Kluivert, and Perez? I’m sure Fonseca would find a way to accommodate a player of Götze’s quality without taking too many minutes away from his young talents.

Now, let’s be frank, this by no means this would be an easy move for Roma to make. Reports state that Götze could be seeking a move abroad, which has the Giallorossi interested, but so are Napoli and Inter. Additionally, there are bound to be Premier League suitors with the likes of West Ham and Everton being linked. Plus, there will always be the outside chance that Klopp could swoop in for his ex-pupil at Liverpool.

So, well we could dream about another big name reviving his career in the capital, tamper expectations unless we see further reports that indicate this more than Petrachi doing his due diligence.