“Kicker” report
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The decision about Manuel Neuer’s future is getting closer. The FC Bayern goalkeeper will be 40 years old on March 27th: Then the veteran will want to decide whether he will extend his contract with the Munich team for another year or not. He wants to make his decision dependent on his physical condition. Neuer’s most recent torn muscle fiber has no effect on this, writes the “Kicker”. Meanwhile, the German record champions are planning the successor to the long-time regular goalkeeper in the background.
According to the magazine, it is clear that Neuer cannot imagine moving abroad at the end of his long and successful career, unlike Thomas Müller or Bastian Schweinsteiger, for example. Accordingly, he wants to end his active career at Bayern. If the club bosses have their way, this should not happen this summer and the keeper should sign until 2027. With 589 games, the 2014 world champion is in fifth place in Munich’s record player rankings. In the history of the Bundesliga, only five other professionals have played more appearances and those immediately ahead of him are not far away.
This is what FC Bayern is planning with Urbig, Nübel and Peretz
It is also said that if Neuer were to continue for another season, he would hand over even more games to his potential successor Jonas Urbig. In this way, the 22-year-old could continue to be carefully developed. Urbig came from 1. FC Köln for 7 million euros a good year ago, and since then he has been between the posts 21 times (eight clean sheets). There have been nine appearances so far this season.
But if Neuer decides against an extension, the Munich team should at least check the goalkeeper market, it is said. Alexander Nübel (to VfB Stuttgart) and Daniel Peretz (to FC Southampton), who are currently on loan, should not be considered as potential future number one. The club is therefore looking for solutions for both after this season.
Nübel still has a working paper at FCB until 2030 and earns a gross salary of up to 12 million euros, which is why a change could be complicated. Peretz is bound until 2028. According to Sky, Southampton secured a purchase option worth 8 million euros for the 25-year-old goalkeeper. With market values of 12 million euros each, Urbig and Nübel are the two most valuable of the keepers mentioned, Peretz’s valuation is 2 million euros and Neuer is still worth 4 million euros, making him the most highly valued professional of his year.
