As Alexander Nübel continues to gain valuable experience while playing with VfB Stuttgart, the goalkeeper does think about his potential future with Bayern Munich.
“Of course it’s my goal to become number 1 there. Of course I want to establish myself there. If Manuel Neuer extends his contract now, which I’m expecting, we will see whether we can get together in 2026 or whether we’ll agree on something else. I’m really relaxed and looking forward to the future,” said Nübel.
Recent reports indicate that Bayern Munich might not be so sure that Nübel is not “the one” to succeed Manuel Neuer any longer. That remains to be seen, but clearly, the former Schalke 04 goalkeeper never anticipated that it would be 2025 and he would still be on loan when he inked his initial deal with Bayern Munich back in 2020.
With Bayern Munich expected to acquire a goalkeeper this summer, Nübel’s future in Bavaria is in doubt.
Arsenal has been linked to Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman for a few weeks now, but there has been very little movement on the matter. There are reasons that Arsenal is so keen on Coman per former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown:
Arsenal are reportedly keeping close tabs on France and Bayern Munich attacker Kingsley Coman, according to former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown via Football insider.
According to Mick Brown, Arsenal have sent scouts to Germany to monitor the French forward as they look to bolster their attack. Mikel Arteta’s side has struggled to convert chances, and the Arsenal manager has expressed his desire to bring in players who can transform the team’s fortunes. Kingsley Coman’s technical ability, pace, and winning mentality make him an appealing target.
It is very unlikely that Bayern Munich would sell Coman, given head coach Vincent Kompany’s preference to have ample depth on the roster. In the summer, however, there could be a chance for Arsenal to make its move.
Bayern Munich continues to be top of the league this season; they beat (arch rivals and forever nemesis) Borussia Mönchengladbach and kept their four point lead over Bayer Leverkusen, but does Bayern have a Harry Kane problem and maybe a Jamal Musiala problem? We try to answer this question in the Flagship and more:
- Is Bayern Munich too reliant on Jamal Musiala or just reliant enough?
- Was Bayern good against Gladbach?
- What is going on with the handball rule?
- Reflections on Felix Zwayer’s refereeing of the game.
- Words on Borussia Mönchengladbach and their overall improvement this season
- What might Manuel Neuer have been up to in the first half?
Manchester United is not giving up on Viktor Gyökeres:
Manchester United are prepared to part ways with Joshua Zirkzee in January to raise funds to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is likely to cost around £63m. Zirkzee is wanted on loan by January.
FC Barcelona might also have former Borussia Dortmund striker Alexander Isak on its wish list:
Barcelona are still focusing on their Robert Lewandowski succession plans, with reports again naming Alexander Isak as a leading transfer target.
Lewandowski, now 36, is showing no signs of slowing down in front of goal and continues to boast an incredible fitness record. He has scored 16 goals in 18 La Liga appearances this season and has netted a further nine in other competitions to take his season’s tally to 25.
That leaves Lewandowski just one shy of the figure he achieved for Barcelona last season, which was comfortably his worst goalscoring season since his debut campaign at Bayern Munich during 2014/15 – 25 again the figure he achieved even then.
Isak hasn’t been as prolific as Lewandowski – though the start of his season was derailed by a toe injury – but he has been in terrific form of late for Newcastle, scoring in their last seven Premier League matches and averaging a goal every 113 minutes played. He also netted in the Magpies’ 2-0 win over Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo note that Isak, who cost Newcastle a club-record £63m when joining from Real Sociedad in 2022, is a leading candidate to replace Lewandowski, with Barcelona knowing that the Pole will inevitably start to slow down.
Bayern Munich travelled to Borussia Mönchengladbach for a Bundesliga showdown to restart action after the Winterpause.
The Bavarians were able to fend off a very defensive, conservative effort from Die Fohlen to capture a 1-0 victory, though it was not easy (against Gladbach, it is never easy).
Let’s talk about how it all went down and more on the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. This is what we have on tap:
- A look at the starting XI and what was surprising.
- A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
- Bayern Munich had to be patient and aggressive at the same time, which was a difficult balance.
- Gladbach came out with far more intensity in the second half and Bayern Munich struggled to deal with it.
- Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match.
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise was recognized for his performance vs. Gladbach over the weekend:
Napoli is looking to bring in some additional wingers and has two in mind from the Premier League:
Two Premier League wingers have been added to Napoli’s shortlist as potential reinforcements this month, reports Nicolo Schira. Liverpool’s 27-year-old Italian forward Federico Chiesa and 24-year-old Tottenham Hotspur star Dejan Kulusevski are said to be among consideration by the Serie A club, who are ensuring that they can move quickly to find a successor if they decide to part ways with Kvaratskhelia. Chiesa arrived at Anfield from Juventus in the summer but has struggled to garner regular appearances, while Kulusevski has enjoyed brighter form having contributed to nine goals in 20 Premier League matches for Spurs.
Bayern Munich is back in action, but there might be more work going on in the boardroom than on the pitch at the moment.
Let’s talk about everything going on, including the big debate — to add a release or not add a release clause to a new contract for Jamal Musiala. This is what we have on tap for this episode of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- A quick rundown of Bayern Munich’s latest injury information.
- A release clause could be a potential requirement for Jamal Musiala’s camp and might be holding up his contract extension. Should Bayern Munich give-in and do it…or should it hold strong and not go down what could be a slippery slope for the future.
- Discussing the latest contract updates for Thomas Müller, Leroy Sané, and Joshua Kimmich.
- What are fair deals for Müller and Sané?
- Kimmich is taking a victory lap.
- Is Viktor Gyökeres the “next one”? Bayern Munich might think so.
- No Entertainment Rundown this week (sorry!).
