Gregor Kobel has been under contract with VfB Stuttgart since summer 2021. Recently there were rumors about an interest from FC Bayern.Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
Bundesliga
After the injury to Manuel Neuer, the signing of top goalkeeper Yann Sommer, the sacking of goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalović and Neuer’s most recent scandalous interview, the record champions are once again in the mood for FC Hollywood.
While the Bayern bosses are being overwhelmed by the theater around Manuel Neuer, the “table football” recently published insider information that should further accelerate the fire: Accordingly, Bayern are currently observing BVB keeper Gregor Kobel as a long-term solution from 2025.
The 25-year-old Kobel has already played 94 Bundesliga games.Image: dpa / Marius Becker
Most recently, CEO Oliver Kahn had wondered where the rumors came from. “I never said anything about the player Gregor Kobel,” he told Sport Bild. This was interpreted by many as denials. In the meantime, BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl has also commented on the speculation.
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“Too important for us”: Kehl rules out Kobel sale
On “Bild TV” Kehl was featured in a segment entitled “Right or nonsense?” asked to classify the rumors about his goalkeeper. “Stuss, definitely,” revealed the sporting director. It is impossible for Dortmund to let the top performer go in the next two years. “He’s too important for us,” Kehl knows.
In addition, the BVB sports director praised the rapid development of his goalkeeper. After his first Bundesliga experiences in Hoffenheim, Augsburg and Stuttgart, the Swiss moved to Dortmund at the beginning of the 2021/22 season and established himself there as a regular keeper. A little later, the now 25-year-old made his debut with the Swiss national team.
In the meantime, Kobel has already played four senior internationals.Image: AP / Petr David Josek
During the winter break, Kobel was even listed as number one goalkeeper in the Bundesliga in the German football rankings. He relegated his compatriot Yann Sommer, who is still ahead in the national team and recently switched to FC Bayern, to second place.
Kobel change in 2025 not off the table – a question of transfer?
However, it should be emphasized that the “Bild” reporters only asked Kehl about Kobel’s future “in the next two years”. Until then, Kobel would probably not be an option for Bayern anyway.
Yann Sommer’s contract runs until 2025. In addition, Bayern have plenty of other options in the goalkeeper position in Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich and Alexander Nübel (currently on loan to AS Monaco).
Yann Sommer has just switched to Bayern. There he wants to prevail against Manuel Neuer.Image: AP / Michael Sohn
Kobel’s contract with BVB runs until 2026. A year before that would be the supposed last opportunity to cash in on a transfer from the keeper.
Looking back on the transfer poker surrounding Erling Haaland, sports director Kehl has already made his transfer maxim clear: “At some point you have to accept that a player can never be bigger than a club.” That means: If another club offers an immoral amount of money for a player, Dortmund must let him go. That would probably also apply to keeper Kobel.
Three games, three draws: After the winter break, FC Bayern still haven’t managed to put in their usual performance on the pitch. After Bayern didn’t win for the third time, the pressure within the club is now increasing. Trainer Julian Nagelsmann has to explain himself in particular.
