Schalke 04 confirmed earlier today that wonder-kid goalkeeper Alexander Nubel will leave the club on a free transfer this summer. According to German outlet kicker, Alexander Nubel will sign with perennial Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Alexander Nubel Will Join Bayern Munich this Summer
The Manuel Neuer Replacement
Much like former Schalke 04 star Leon Goretzka, Alexander Nubel has long been linked with a move to Bayern Munich. Again like Goretzka, Nubel is set to complete that move this summer despite many rumors recently suggesting he had decided otherwise.
Just a few days ago, kicker reported that Nubel would decline a move to Munich in favor of signing a new contract with Schalke. Now, however, the same outlet claims Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic convinced Nubel to pledge his future to Bayern despite Manuel Neuer’s intention to sign a long-term contract with the club.
Bild also reports that Nubel has solidified his decision to join Bayern. They go on to suggest that the Bavarians plan to use both Neuer and Nubel next season. Bayern’s goal is to slowly integrate the 23-year-old as Neuer’s long-term successor.
Whether or not Neuer is in favor of these plans remains to be seen. While Bild claims the Bayern and Germany captain, Sport1 suggests otherwise. Their sources say Neuer is not open to the idea of splitting playing time with the 23-year-old.
Bayern’s Conflict of Interests
Manuel Neuer is undoubtedly still one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, and at 33-years-old still has a few more seasons left in his legs. However, it is necessary Bayern start planning for a future without the sweeper-keeper.
Signing Nubel is certainly a step in the right direction, but integrating him into the starting lineup will be a much tougher task. The Bavarians have to find a way to phase Neuer out while introducing Nubel and keeping both players happy.
Perhaps the best solution would be to send the 23-year-old out on loan for a season or two, despite his agent’s protestation that such a scenario would be impossible. Nubel is no doubt a great goalkeeper, but he is still some distance off overtaking Neuer as Bayern’s number one.
Signing Alexander Nubel on a free transfer would be yet another piece of excellent business from Bayern Munich. Integrating the youngster into the squad will be a tougher task, but if the Bavarians can handle the situation properly they could seamlessly transition from one world-class goalkeeper to another in a few seasons.
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