Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer may miss pre-season tour
Bayern Munich is expected to make changes in all departments of the squad this summer. They have already strengthened defense and midfield by signing Konrad Laimer and Raphael Guerreiro. Bayern is also expected to strengthen the attack as they pursue the signing of Harry Kane.
The goalkeeping department at Die Roten may also see some vital changes this summer. The Bavarian club was hoping to have Manuel Neuer ready for the pre-season tour, but it is looking unlikely that he will travel with the squad to Japan later this month.
According to Sky Sports in Germany, Manuel Neuer will need more time to make his comeback from a serious leg injury. The German international will undergo more tests next week when players return for pre-season training. As things stand, Neuer is unlikely to resume full training soon, and he is a major doubt for the pre-season tour of Asia.
Neuer has been on the sidelines since December. The 37-year-old goalkeeper suffered a serious leg injury due to a freak accident on a ski trip after the World Cup 2022. The German international missed the entire second half of the season due to this injury.
❗️News #Neuer: His comeback has been delayed. He will not join team training next week as originally planned.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 7, 2023
➡️ He's also a doubt for the Asia tour at the end of July - current tendency is that he won't be there
➡️ Neuer will undergo new tests next week after his vacation
➡️… pic.twitter.com/vJVercduW0
The latest setback for Neuer puts Bayern in a difficult position regarding the future of Alexander Nubel and Yann Sommer. Nubel and Sommer will return to Sabner Strasse next week for pre-season training. Both goalkeepers are expected to leave Bavaria by the end of the transfer window.
Inter Milan is showing strong interest in Sommer as a replacement for Andre Onana. The Swiss goalkeeper is relaxed about his future at Die Roten, but he is expected to look for a transfer to get consistent playing time. Bayern is planning with Neuer as number one for next season, so Sommer will automatically become the backup goalkeeper.
Bayern cannot afford to grant Sommer a transfer this month since Neuer is unlikely to be part of the squad during the pre-season tour. The clubs interested in Sommer may look at other targets, which will make a late move difficult for the Swiss goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, Alexander Nubel is expected to seal a permanent transfer after spending the last two years out on loan at Monaco. The 26-year-old goalkeeper has no plans to stick around in Munich next season since he wants to play every week. Die Roten is also ready to listen to offers for him this summer.
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Die Roten may have to sign a number two in the coming weeks if Sommer pushes for a transfer and Nubel seals a permanent transfer. Neuer’s injury setback makes this position priority ahead of the pre-season tour. The Bavarian club has been linked with Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili in the past few days as a long-term successor of Neuer.