After the end of the pre-season tour last week, there was movement in the transfer market to resolve the uncertainty surrounding Yann Sommer at Bayern Munich. The Bavarian club has agreed a fee with Inter Milan for the Swiss goalkeeper. Sommer was spotted in Milan on Monday to complete the medical.
The Bavarian club will explore the transfer market to replace Sommer in the squad. Bayern has been linked with several goalkeepers since the start of the summer transfer window. The last few days had seen them make Brentford’s David Raya their top target for this position.
However, the talks to sign Raya didn’t reach a positive conclusion. The Spaniard reportedly rejected Die Roten’s loan proposal. He is now close to completing a move to Arsenal. Die Roten will have to look at other options in the transfer market.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was reportedly offered to Bayern. He is currently a free agent. While talking to SportBild, former Bayern midfielder Lothar Matthaus believes De Gea will be a very good replacement for Sommer this summer.
"“As FC Bayern, I would go for de Gea. And in de Gea’s place, I would go to FC Bayern. With him, Bayern would have to a top keeper as Neuer replacement. He could even become #1 permanently if Neuer, which we don’t hope for, doesn’t come back.”"
Despite De Gea’s long stint at Manchester United, Matthaus is wrong in his assessment of the Spaniard. The 32-year-old goalkeeper has been on a steady decline in the past three seasons. He was always known for his breathtaking shot-stopping, but he has seen a dip in his strength over the last couple of seasons.
Most importantly, David de Gea is not comfortable on the ball. Thomas Tuchel may find it difficult to accommodate him in the starting XI due to his deficiencies in possession. It may not be the best idea to sign a goalkeeper that cannot contribute while playing out from the back.
De Gea was the best-paid goalkeeper in the world at Manchester United. Die Roten cannot afford to have a number two at astronomical wages. The Bavarian club may have to become creative in the transfer market and look for a goalkeeper that will suit their team and wage structure.
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Sven Ulreich is expected to start the game against Monaco on Monday. The German goalkeeper will be the deputy to Manuel Neuer in the first team if a deal to bring a replacement for Sommer is not completed. Ulreich may end up starting in the goal for Bayern against RB Leipzig in the DFL Supercup next weekend since Neuer is expected to miss the start of the season. The 37-year-old goalkeeper is currently recovering from a serious leg injury that has kept him out of action for seven months.