Transfer Talk: Bayern Munich look for goalkeeper options beyond Liverpool's Alisson
The winter transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Bayern Munich look for goalkeepers other than Alisson
Bayern Munich are moving to secure the present and future of their goalkeeping department, according to Sky Sports Deutschland. Despite rumours, that future will not include Liverpool‘s Alisson Becker replacing Manuel Neuer.
Instead, a contract renewal is still possible for Neuer with initial discussions expected to take place before the end of this calendar year, per the report. The 38-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer of 2025.
The current plan is for Alexander Nübel to eventually be Neuer’s successor, with the 28-year-old now on loan at Stuttgart. Bayern can bring Nubel back next summer but would need to let Stuttgart know by spring, and if he doesn’t return until 2026 his contract automatically extends to 2030.
Even with that in mind, Bayern are also monitoring Koln’s Jonas Urbig and Brighton & Hove Albion‘s Bart Verbruggen.
The 21-year-old Urbig is expected to leave Koln in the summer despite his contract running until 2026. Bayern are expected to have competition from top clubs both in Germany and abroad for Urbig, who is expected to be available for €5m-€7m.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Juventus are focusing on Udinese‘s Lorenzo Lucca and Monza‘s Daniel Maldini as they aim to bring in an Italian striker, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport, with Arkadiusz Milik‘s injury issues being a contributing factor. It is added that of the two, it should be easier for I Bianconeri to convince Monza to let Maldini move in January.
– Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush is high on the list of transfer options for both Arsenal and Liverpool, according to Football Transfers. Frankfurt are trying to renew the 25-year-old’s contract but would accept €35m for him with manager Mikel Arteta willing to let Gabriel Jesus leave to facilitate a move while the Reds would also need to let somebody depart.
– A decision is yet to be made on where Paul Wanner will play his football next season, reports Sky Sports Deutschland, with the 18-year-old attacking midfielder currently impressing on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich. It is felt that his next step has to be playing in the Champions League, but it isn’t certain whether he can do that for Bayern yet due to the club hoping to renew Jamal Musiala‘s contract and sign Bayer Leverkusen‘s Florian Wirtz.
– Juventus are prioritising Empoli centre-back Adrian Ismajli as they look to replace the injured Gleison Bremer, according to Tuttosport. This comes with Bologna‘s Sam Beukema and Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior also being considered ahead of the January transfer window.
– Atalanta want to sign Lille winger Edon Zhegrova in January with the 25-year-old worth around €25m, reports Calciomercato, who add that La Dea are also looking for a defender similar to Rodrigo Becão, who they missed out on when he joined Fenerbahce. It is also reported that Atalanta could let Ben Godfrey depart and would allow Mitchel Bakker and Emil Holm to leave if a €10m offer comes in for either of them.
