Bayern Munich are working on contract extensions during the winter transfer window. The record Bundesliga have reached an agreement with Serge Gnabry and Konrad Laimer over new deals pending official announcements. There is more work to be done for Bayern on Dayot Upamecano’s new contract.
There will be more contract talks to take place at Bayern during the second half of the season for other players. Manuel Neuer is one of the players whose contract situation is relaxed, even though he has six months left on the deal.
The 39-year-old goalkeeper has been in good form for Bayern this season. Neuer had a difficult Hinrunde last season, but he bounced back in the last 12 months. The former World Cup winner remains Kompany’s first-choice goalkeeper as he is not showing any significant decline in the goalkeeping aspects of his game.
Bayern chiefs are also pleased with Neuer’s performances and would be open to keeping him for one more season. While talking to a fan event over the weekend (via Sky Sports), Neuer insisted that he will make a decision on his future late in the season rather than sign a new deal now.
"I'm positive about the whole thing. But I want to wait and see how things develop over the next few months... I'll make a final decision at the end of March or beginning of April."Manuel Neuer
Bayern are nurturing Jonas Urbig to eventually succeed Neuer
Even though Neuer has been performing well this season, Bayern have started preparing for life after him. The club chiefs believe Jonas Urbig is going to be the long-term successor of Neuer.
The young German goalkeeper has enjoyed a promising start to life at Bayern. After arriving in Munich last January, Urbig has delivered good performances whenever he has been called upon. Die Roten have also started him in a couple of Bundesliga games this season. Urbig is expected to get more game time during the second half of the season.
In an ideal scenario, Neuer signs a new deal and has a reduced role in the squad, like Thomas Müller had in the last couple of seasons. This will allow Urbig to grow under the wings of an experienced goalkeeper. Nevertheless, unless Neuer calls time on his career this season, a new contract is a matter of when rather than if.
Bayern are expecting movement in the goalkeeping department during the summer transfer window. Daniel Peretz is joining Southampton on loan with an option to buy. Meanwhile, Alexander Nubel is also expected to leave Die Roten permanently once he returns from his loan spell at VfB Stuttgart in the summer.