Bayern Munich may not spend heavily on new goalkeeper
Bayern Munich have a goalkeeper problem to solve in the coming days. Inter Milan has reportedly agreed personal terms with Yann Sommer as they prepare for life after Andre Onana. Bayern is expected to receive a formal approach from the Italian club to open negotiations for Sommer.
Meanwhile, Die Roten is also expected to part ways with Alexander Nubel. The former Schalke goalkeeper reported for first-team training at Sabner Strasse this week, but his future lies away from Munich. VfB Stuttgart and Leeds United are reportedly showing strong interest in Nubel.
Manuel Neuer has been training on the pitch but is not expected to be completely fit for the pre-season tour. As things stand, Sven Ulreich is likely to be the only senior goalkeeper in the pre-season squad if Nubel and Sommer sort out their futures before the team flies to Japan.
Bayern will have to explore the transfer market for a new goalkeeper that can deputize Neuer. However, they are not expected to spend heavily on a number two. While talking to media over the weekend (via iMiaSanMia), Uli Hoeness insisted that buying an expensive number two will not create an ideal environment in the squad.
"“If we were to buy an expensive goalkeeper now, that wouldn’t be good. The goal is for Manuel to be #1. We have to do everything to create a comfortable atmosphere without pressure.”“We can’t react to every setback – the injury wasn’t easy, it’s okay that there are setbacks. But we mustn’t put pressure on him and suddenly do things that aren’t good for him. It’s all about him. Because if he’s fine, we’re fine too.”"
Die Roten has been linked with Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili for the second-choice goalkeeping position. The Georgian goalkeeper from Valencia is expected to be expensive since he has several years left on his contract. Bayern reportedly considers him a long-term successor to Neuer. Meanwhile, PSG is also linked with Bounou. The Moroccan defender will be cheaper than Mamardashvili due to age, and he has two years left on his contract.
Bayern needs to be ahead of the curve in terms of finding the long-term successor of Neuer. It doesn’t make sense to not invest in a good number two. Neuer is 37, and there is no guarantee that he will be back to his best after the serious leg injury that has kept him out for the last seven months.
In an ideal scenario, they get a young goalkeeper like Mamardashvilli, who can learn under Neuer in the next couple of seasons before taking over the number-one position. The Bavarian club and Thomas Tuchel should look to divide game time between Neuer and number two to prepare well for the transition.
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From a financial perspective, Hoeness is right. The majority of Die Roten’s budget is expected to go for a striker. They are expected to pay a nine-figure fee for Harry Kane if Spurs decide to sell, leaving very little money for other positions. Hopefully, Die Roten somehow finds a way to sort out the goalkeeping position in the short and long run.