After a long injury break, Manuel Neuer recently returned to FC Bayern in strong form. But there remain residual doubts about the goalkeeper’s fitness. A possible replacement has now publicly flirted with a move to Munich.
There is a long period of suffering behind Manuel Neuer. It took the five-time world goalkeeper almost a year to recover from his complicated lower leg fracture after the 2022 World Cup.
A time when alternatives were often discussed at FC Bayern. At the beginning of October, rumors arose about Koen Casteels from VfL Wolfsburg.
The “Wolfsburger Allgemeine” reported that the record champions are considering a transfer of the Belgian if Neuer does not return to top form straight away.
Now the goalkeeper admitted that a move to FC Bayern would actually appeal to him. “Of course, a club like this makes you think. If the interest is serious and they knock on my door, then that would be a very good step. But we’re not that far yet,” the 31-year-old from the Belgian national team told VTM New”.
FC Bayern is negotiating with Ulreich
The Belgian has been considered one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the Bundesliga for years. However, his journey at VfL Wolfsburg ends after the current season. This means: If FC Bayern is really interested in a transfer, Casteels could move to the Isar for free thanks to his expiring contract.
How likely such a deal is remains to be seen. Despite the long downtime, Neuer has not revealed any weaknesses in his goalkeeping game. In addition, negotiations are now officially underway in Munich with deputy Sven Ulreich regarding a new working paper.
“We are in talks to extend the contract and are very optimistic that we can achieve this together,” said CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen recently on “DAZN”. The Casteels scenario therefore seems to have recently become more distant.