Manuel Neuer was injured shortly before Christmas while ski touring, now the Bayern bosses have to look for a replacement for him.Image: dpa / Soeren Stache
FC Bayern returns to Germany from the training camp in Doha on Thursday. The restart in the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig is coming up soon: already on January 20th. But there is still a big question mark among Munich – the goalkeeper problem is still unresolved.
After Manuel Neuer’s injury and absence, who will be his successor? One thing is clear: time is of the essence – and there are several options. The first internal deadline has already been exceeded – the Munich team actually wanted to take a new keeper to the training camp. Poker will not be easy for a due replacement, that is also clear. Coach Julian Nagelsmann now lets you look behind the scenes of the transfer.
A replacement for the injured Manuel Neuer must be found as soon as possible.Image: dpa / Tom Weller
FC Bayern missed the deadline – and set a new internal deadline
According to coach Nagelsmann, it is not particularly surprising that the people of Munich find it difficult to sign a new successor. At the final press conference in Doha, he revealed: “It’s very, very difficult in winter. In general, as a German club, it’s difficult to dig through the shelves.”
At the final press conference in Doha, Nagelsmann spoke about the goalkeeper problem.Image: dpa / Peter Kneffel
Because the market situation is complicated. Not least because of the competition. “The goalkeeper market is generally complex. There are not that many players on the market. The situation is not easy,” admits the Bayern coach.
So the question of the goalkeeper overshadows the preparation of the record champions for the second half of the season. Since the first deadline was missed, the new deadline is the restart against Leipzig on January 20th. By then, those in charge at FC Bayern, headed by sports director Hasan Salihamidžić, want to have secured a keeper, as reported by “Kicker”.
Coach Nagelsmann gives an insight into goalkeeper efforts
Despite the difficult situation on the market, Munich are pulling out all the stops, as Nagelsmann confirms: “We’re trying to do something. We have a duty to get another goalkeeper, regardless of whether he becomes number one or two, because we only have very young players behind them.”
There are currently three possible options for Munich. The previous number two in goal, Sven Ulreich, could move up to first place. The bosses want to avoid that. Another man between the posts has to come one way or the other, as Nagelsmann also makes clear:
“If Ulle (Editor’s note: Sven Ulreich) were to get injured, it would be a complex situation for a young player with no professional experience to be standing between the posts. I’m a friend of always keeping my eyes and ears open.”
Nagelsmann on the goalkeeper search
However, it is an open secret that Ulreich is not the preferred candidate for number one.
Poker for the keeper: FC Bayern really wants Yann Sommer
In the past few days, Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer has emerged as the ideal solution for Munich. His contract expires in the summer. And: Supposedly he would like to move to the Isar.
Yann Sommer is FC Bayern’s preferred candidate.Image: Thomas Haesler / press photo / imago images
Bayern should agree with the goalkeeper himself. Much to the displeasure of Gladbach. The ideas about a transfer fee are therefore currently still too far apart. That could change in a very short time. “There’s nothing new at the moment,” Nagelsmann said at the press conference on Thursday.
“There is no club that likes to give away its goalkeeper.”
Julian Nagelsman
Option number two only with a lot of persuasion
If the deal with Yann Sommer does not work, there is another option: a return from Alexander Nübel. However, a compensation payment would also be due here. The 26-year-old is on loan to AS Monaco until the end of the season. That required a good hand in terms of persuasion.
Alexander Nübel is currently still on loan to AS Monaco.Image: dpa / Tom Weller
So the situation is complex. After all, there are only a few goalkeepers on the market who meet the requirements of FC Bayern, as Nagelsmann repeatedly explains. It was clear to those involved that the search would be difficult: “It’s a bit normal the way things are going. There is no club that likes to give away its goalkeeper.” Nothing is currently fixed in transfer poker for Neuer’s successor.
Actually, football professionals should be role models for young people because of their wide reach. Children orientate themselves on the well-paid footballers, strive for them and often imitate them.
