After the collapse of the Kepa deal
Goalkeeper surprise at Bayern?
08/14/2023, 10:45 p.m
FC Bayern has a goalkeeper problem. Sven Ulreich is the only experienced keeper available at the moment and no one knows when Manuel Neuer will be fit and healthy again between the posts. An external solution is required. A top option has been smashed, now a surprising name is appearing.
According to information from Sky, FC Bayern is interested in goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from Manchester City. The record champion is said to have already contacted the 30-year-old substitute goalkeeper of the Champions League winner. The former goalkeeper of Arminia Bielefeld was already an issue at Bayern in January, but then signed Yann Sommer (34) as a replacement for the injured goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (37).
Ortega only switched to Manchester City last summer and immediately won the treble with the team of former Bayern coach Pep Guardiola. His contract on the island is valid until 2025. In the search for a replacement for Neuer, the Munich team lost a transfer option with Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga. The 28-year-old joined Real Madrid on loan. The Bavarians were already very far in the negotiations with the Spaniard with the desired keeper.
Tuchel explains the dilemma
“For example, we were very close the day before yesterday. We would have wanted to present a goalkeeper in Kepa today if he hadn’t decided on Real Madrid after all,” said Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen on Sunday. After Neuer’s postponed comeback plans and the departures of Yann Sommer (Inter Milan), Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart) and Johannes Schenk (Preußen Münster), Bayern currently only have one experienced and fit goalkeeper in their squad in Sven Ulreich.
“We need a second goalkeeper. I am convinced that we will find a solution by September 1st,” assured Dreesen. Neuer’s return to team training is not yet foreseeable, so the Munich team cannot plan specifically with the national goalkeeper. “We are confident that Manuel Neuer will come back within the second half of the year,” said Dreesen. Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel was also cautiously optimistic. “If Manu feels free, it can also happen quickly. But it’s very speculative,” said Tuchel, who doesn’t want to put any time pressure on his goalkeeper.
Last Friday, Tuchel explained the dilemma when looking for a goalkeeper: “We’re probably looking for something that no other club is looking for. Someone who has what it takes to be number one and can swallow his pride when Manu returns.” Does Ortega, who has already been traded at FC Bayern and is the clear number two behind Ederson at City, really meet the profile?