Manuel Neuer is making steady progress in his recovery from a serious injury that he suffered in December. The German international has started light training on the pitch. He is unlikely to play this season, but Bayern Munich is expecting him to be fit for the pre-season.
The return of Neuer will raise some serious questions about the future of Yann Sommer. Neuer has shown no signs of decline, and he is expected to go straight into the starting XI when he completes his recovery. For such a scenario, Bayern has an agreement with Sommer that will benefit all parties involved.
According to SportBild’s Christian Falk, Bayern has promised a transfer for Yann Sommer if Neuer returns to the team and becomes the number one. Manchester United remains interested in the Swiss goalkeeper.
The Red Devils were reportedly interested in signing him on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer. However, Bayern scampered their plans by signing Sommer in January. The Bavarian club was eager to add a goalkeeper to the squad for the second half of the season.
Sommer has blown hot and cold for Bayern since arriving from Gladbach in January. He has made some big mistakes that have cost Die Roten in the Bundesliga. If Neuer achieves complete fitness, Thomas Tuchel will be quick to bring him into the starting XI at the start of next season.
The Swiss goalkeeper will have to look for a transfer in the summer since he needs to play regularly ahead of Euro 2024. Since David De Gea is struggling for form at Manchester United, a move to Old Trafford will be a very good option for Yann Sommer. There is likely to be interest from several top clubs since Sommer has been a fine goalkeeper for several years in the Bundesliga.
Bayern will look to recoup most of the fee that they paid for Sommer in January. The record Bundesliga champions paid €10 million (including bonuses) for the Swiss shot-stopper. In an ideal scenario, Die Roten will hope to see a mini-bidding war for Sommer to get a maximum fee.
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Apart from Sommer, Bayern also has a decision to make regarding the future of Alexander Nubel. The young goalkeeper will return from his productive loan spell at Monaco in the summer. Die Roten considers him a long-term successor of Neuer, but he doesn’t want to warm the bench next season after playing regularly in Ligue 1. Bayern will have to decide if they loan him again for next season or allow him to seal a permanent transfer.