Liverpool and Juventus target Leon Goretzka will 'fit in well' at Barcelona, says Xavi

Barcelona legend Xavi says Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka is good enough to play for "any team in the world" and has backed him to complete a switch to the Catalan club.

The 22-year-old impressed for Germany at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, scoring three goals in four appearances. He continued his fine display for the Bundesliga club this term, scoring four goals from nine appearances in the league.

Goretzka's current deal at Veltins-Arena will expire after the end of the season. The player is yet to agree to a deal with the German outfit. His form for Schalke has seen him attract interest from the top clubs across Europe.

Liverpool and Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur, along with La Liga giants Barcelona and Italian champions Juventus are interested in signing the midfielder, claims Mundo Deportivo.

The same report also suggests Ernesto Valverde's side have an agreement for the German international to join Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer. Xavi, who played for the Camp Nou outfit, believes Goretzka will "fit in well" at Barcelona.

"I've seen him play and I think he's a good player. Without a doubt, he could play for any team in the world. He would fit in well [at Barça]," Xavi told German agency SID, as quoted by Catalan publication Sport. "Goretzka is a young player. Germany always have good footballers and he's one of them."

Any move from Barcelona in making an approach for Schalke midfielder will see them face competition from Juventus. The Turin club's chief executive Beppe Marotta has expressed the Italian champions' desire to sign Goretzka, along with Liverpool midfielder Emre Can.

"It's not easy, and when you have to sign a player for Juventus it's not easy to find them. It's also true that we need to reflect on this squad, in terms of age, but we also realise that we have had great professionals," Marotta said.

"Emre Can and Leon Goretzka are two players with expiring contracts and I don't hide the fact that we are following them both, like many other teams. The will of the players will be decisive."