Bayern Munich unlikely to sign new goalkeeper before winter camp
The winter transfer window for Bayern Munich will be dominated by their search for a new goalkeeper. After Manuel Neuer was ruled out for the rest of the season, Die Roten wants to sign a new number one for Ruckrunde.
The hierarchy at Bayern wanted to complete the deal for a new goalkeeper before the team leaves for the winter camp in Doha later this week. However, it does look like Die Roten will need more time to resolve the goalkeeping situation in the first team.
According to Sky Sports in Germany, Die Roten is yet to find a breakthrough in talks with Monaco for the early release of Alexander Nubel. The German goalkeeper is unsure about returning to Bavaria, while Monaco wants to keep Nubel until the end of the season and if possible, sign him permanently in the summer.
Nubel was Bayern’s first choice to replace Neuer in the second half of the season. He has excelled for Monaco during the loan spell in the last 18 months, but Die Roten is yet to convince the French club to release him in January.
Apart from Nubel, Bayern also considers Yann Sommer as a viable option for Ruckrunde. The Swiss goalkeeper has six months left on his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach. As per Sky Sports, Rekordmeister has agreed personal terms with Sommer, but they are yet to start negotiations with Gladbach.
Bringing Nubel back to Munich in January will be the ideal solution for Bayern. The 26-year-old goalkeeper will get a chance to prove himself in Bavaria during the second half of the season. If he responds well to regular playing time in the first team, Bayern can consider him as a long-term replacement of Neuer.
On the other hand, Sommer will be a short-term and confusing signing for Die Roten. The Swiss international is already 34, so he will not be the eventual successor of Neuer. There are no doubts about the quality of Sommer, but Bayern has to think long-term in this position.
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As things stand, Sven Ulreich is likely to start against RB Salzburg in a friendly next Friday. Ulreich may also end up starting against RB Leipzig when Bundesliga resumes on January 20. Hasan Salihamidzic and Bayern should try to find an agreement with Monaco in the next two weeks so Nubel gets at least a few weeks with the group before the big Champions League games against Paris Saint-Germain in February and early March.