Bayern Munich goalkeeper Christian Fruchtl has reportedly emerged as a summer transfer target for Augsburg.
Bayern Munich have already begun executing their summer transfer plans, announcing yesterday their second official signing for the upcoming transfer window. Lucas Hernandez will finally join the Bavarians from Atletico Madrid in June after months of speculation regarding his future.
The club previously confirmed in January that Benjamin Pavard will make the move from Stuttgart this summer for €35 million. Hernandez, who will join for a record-breaking €80 million, will be the second addition to Bayern’s squad from France’s World Cup winning starting lineup.
Bayern will have to sort out the futures of some of their younger players as they make key additions to their squad. Christian Fruchtl is one of the few players whose immediate future at the club remains uncertain. The 19-year-old has spent this season with the reserves, but he is now ready to take the next step in his career and start playing first team soccer.
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According to Sport Bild (via GGFN), Augsburg are hoping to entice the Bayern youngster by offering him the opportunity to do just that. The details of the deal offered by Augsburg are not yet clear, but Bayern Munich are completely unwilling to sell the player. Fruchtl is highly rated at Bayern, who will only allow him to move on a loan deal with no option to buy.
Bayern are well covered in the goalkeeping department. Manuel Neuer has declined a bit in recent years due to two serious injuries, but he still remains the number one choice in goal when completely fit. The club captain still has at least two more years at the top level. Sven Ulreich, meanwhile, made a fine impression Neuer’s absence last season and was deservedly handed a new contract over the summer. Fruchtl is not going to get any minutes ahead of either Neuer or Ulreich right now.
The 19-year-old has been training with the first team throughout this season, but he has hardly got even a sniff of game time. Therefore, a loan move to another Bundesliga club would make a lot of sense for all parties involved.
Fruchtl’s current contract with Bayern expires in 2020. Die Roten need to extend the teenager’s contract, then allow him to leave on loan in order to prepare him to become the number one goalkeeper at the club in the future.
Bayern Munich need to work on getting more youngsters from their academy integrated into the first team. A cooperation with a smaller club in Europe could provide the perfect platform for players like Fruchtl to develop and eventually play a key role for Bayern’s first team.