Overview
- Sky Germany reported on Tuesday that Bayern increasingly see Manuel Neuer as likely to retire when his contract ends in June 2027 and are preparing Jonas Urbig to be the club’s first-choice goalkeeper from next season.
- Oliver Baumann has emerged as Bayern’s preferred candidate because he offers Bundesliga experience, a stabilising presence in training, and an existing working relationship with Bayern goalkeeping coach Michael Rechner.
- Baumann is under contract at Hoffenheim until 2028 and is close to Karl‑Heinz Körbel’s all-time Bundesliga appearance record, so a move to a backup role in Munich would force a significant personal trade-off.
- Bernd Leno and Loris Karius are named alternatives, but each option carries contractual or sporting uncertainties—Fulham hold an extension option for Leno and Karius’s availability depends on Schalke’s league status.
- Sources say Bayern have not opened formal talks yet, so the situation remains planning-stage and the summer 2027 window will determine whether Bayern can secure an experienced, low-conflict number two without disrupting Urbig’s promotion.