According to multiple reports over the last 24 hours, Bayern Munich were offered the chance to sign former Manchester United keeper David de Gea who’s available on a free transfer after not having his contract renewed.
However, Florian Plettenberg has confirmed that Bayern Munich has no interest in bringing the veteran keeper to Bavaria due to his high wages. They also don’t see him as a number two who will sit behind Manuel Neuer.
As we reported earlier, Bayern does have an interest in Brentford keeper David Raya, but nothing seems imminent with the London club, and Bayern is still awaiting the official transfer of Yan Sommer to go through to Inter Milan. Talks have been progressing, and a verbal agreement has been reached according to Plettenberg, but it’s still not over the line.
Manchester United decided against renewing the contract of longtime keeper De Gea, despite the Spanish stopper being a mainstay at United for the last 12 years, winning numerous Player of the Year awards.
David de Gea, he was offered to FC Bayern in the last days as the 32 y/o is ready for a new chapter after #MUFC.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 26, 2023
➡️ Bayern is still evaluating many options but understand that the club is not considering a transfer of De Gea at this stage.
ℹ️ One of the reasons: A very high… pic.twitter.com/xjJZc6FRaw
Erik Ten Hag likes his keeper to be comfortable playing out from the back, and that’s never been a strong point of the former Athletico Madrid star. In the end, United decided to spend £47.2 million on Andre Onana from Inter Milan, the player Yan Sommer hopes to replace.
De Gea made over 400 appearances for Manchester United but was one of the highest earners at the club and it’s unclear what kind of deal he’d be looking for now. He was indeed the best-paid goalkeeper in Europe. Chances are it’ll be higher than Bayern will feel comfortable with. Moreover, he is not comfortable on the ball, which makes him a very difficult fit for Die Roten.
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Manuel Neuer continues his comeback from a broken leg
Bayern is looking for a number two keeper who can eventually take over from 37-year-old Manuel Neuer, who’s still working his way back from breaking his leg during a ski trip at Roßkopf on Spitzingsee in Bavaria.
Once Neuer is fully recovered, he’ll take back the starting spot. The German international was not part of the squad for the pre-season tour. He is continuing his recovery from this serious leg injury at Sabner Strasse. It remains to be seen if he will be fit for the start of the season. Thomas Tuchel reportedly wants a solid number two due to the uncertainty over the fitness of Neuer. With Sommer closing on a move to Inter, Bayern is expected to step up the pursuit of a new number two.