Manuel Neuer has to wait a long time for his comeback after his serious injury. The FC Bayern goalkeeper broke his lower leg on a ski tour in the Bavarian foothills of the Alps in December. His planned return could be delayed.
After the injury, it was said from Neuer’s environment that he would be back on the pitch preparing for the new season in the summer. According to “Sport1” information, these statements could have been a bit premature, because Neuer may even be at risk of a longer absence.
“Bild” also reports that the national goalkeeper’s injury was probably more serious than expected. In addition, there are doubts in Bayern as to whether the goalkeeper can again achieve physical top form.
FC Bayern is pinning all hopes on a speedy return for number 1, but the signs have changed. “It is important that we find the best solution for our team in the short term,” said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic almost three weeks ago.
Bayern now seem to be turning their backs. Apparently, Munich are no longer looking for a keeper for half a year, but for a longer-term solution, which in turn could become a problem for the now 36-year-old Neuer.
Yann Sommer from Borussia Mönchengladbach is mentioned again and again as a preferred candidate. The Swiss has a contract with Borussia until the end of the season. FC Bayern and Sommer have already agreed verbally according to “Sky” information, but the keeper has not been released.
Borussia Mönchengladbach recently declared Sommer not for sale. Ultimately, however, everything should only be a question of price: if Bayern meet Gladbachers with the transfer fee, which is said to be eight million euros, a timely agreement could be possible.
Bayern should only want to pay four to five million euros for the six months that Sommer is still under contract in Gladbach. At 34, the Swiss is also advanced in age, but could play for FC Bayern in the next three to four years – and become dangerous for Neuer.
If Bayern buys the Gladbach keeper and Sommer establishes himself as the new number 1, in the worst case Neuer threatens a bank place after his return if he is not able to fully regain his old level of performance.
In addition to Sommer, Bayern are also looking for other top keepers who could replace Neuer. So the Munich team keep their eyes on Dominik Livakovic from Dinamo Zagreb; the Croatian shone at the World Cup in Qatar and would be an investment for the future at the age of 28.
According to “transfermarkt.de”, Livakovic’s market value is currently 14 million euros. His contract with Dinamo Zagreb runs until 2024. Keylor Navas (Paris Saint Germain) and Alexander Nübel (AS Monaco) would be other alternatives. But Navas is 36 years old and Nübel (26) does not want to go to Munich.
Bayern would not have to dig so deep into their pockets for Kevin Trapp from Eintracht Frankfurt. But Trapp is already 32 years old and, according to “transfermarkt.de”, is worth 8.5 million euros. With Trapp, the Munich team would probably get a slightly stronger keeper than Sommer if Frankfurt let him go.
This article was written by Dirk Adam
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The original of this article “Neuer threatens to be out for a longer period of time, Bayern changes goalkeeper search” comes from Sports Illustrated Germany.
