Reports: Bayern explore early Nübel recall after Neuer's accident
German journalists Christian Falk (Sport Bild) and Florian Plettenberg (Sky Germany) both report that FC Bayern München are currently busying themselves with an emergency recall of loaned-out goalkeeper Alexander Nübel following Manuel Neuer's skiing accident.
The bombshell that FC Bayern München #1 Manuel Neuer will be lost for the season, according to at least two German sources, has Bundesliga league-leaders FC Bayern München considering an emergency recall of Alexander Nübel from AS Monaco. As interesting a twist as this might be in the long saga of the talented keeper Bayern lured from Schalke with the promise of eventually replacing Neuer would be, there are potential stumbling blocks.
Sport Bild Bayern correspondent Christian Falk reports that the record champions first must deal with the fact that there isn't a recall option in the current loan arrangement. Florian Plettenberg of Sky's German outfit has managed to contact Nübel's agent Stefan Backs, who is quoted as saying that the FCB must work out something with Monaco before dealing with either him or his player.
Nübel is due back in Bavaria at the end of the season in any case. FCB management may find themselves comfortable relying upon recently re-signed back-up net-minder Sven Ulreich, who did fill in for Neuer serviceably enough to lead the team to the 2017/18 Bundesliga title when the Neuer was lost for an extended period of time to metatarsal surgery.
A new shot-stopper will be needed irrespective of what the table-toppers decide. Nineteen-year-old Johannes Schenk, who has not yet logged a single minute of top-tier action, is the only other keeper on the Bayern roster. The Croatian national team's current #1 Dominik Livaković has cropped up as a potential Bayern January purchase in some rumor mills, but there is nothing substantial to suggest that it's a real possibility.
X News #Nübel: Bayern is seriously considering a return of Nübel now! Early stage. Bayern has to find a solution with Monaco. Agent Backs says at Sky: „Before Alexander or I say anything about it, Bayern have to deal with Monaco first.“ @Sky_Uli @Sky_Torben @SkySportDE 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/U1A2vh588H
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 10, 2022