Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann said on Thursday the club “have an obligation” to sign another goalkeeper in the winter, given the absence of first-choice stopper Manuel Neuer.
Speaking from Bayern’s winter training camp at the Qatar Aspire Academy in Doha, Nagelsmann spoke of the club’s “duty” to sign another goalkeeper, with Neuer missing most of 2023 with a broken leg.
Nagelsmann said he had been impressed by Neuer’s backup Sven Ulreich in training, but felt another keeper was needed.
“From my perspective, we have an obligation to sign another goalkeeper,” Nagelsmann told reporters.
“(We need another goalkeeper) it doesn’t matter if he’s number one or number two.
“After that, we have some very young players, who have talent, but coming into the game at this stage of the season who have never played professional football, it will be a difficult situation.”
Bayern are four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table and will meet Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on February 14.
Nagelsmann acknowledged the difficulty of finding quality goalkeepers quickly, especially this season.
“The goalkeeper market (in the season) is complicated. No team likes to give up their first-choice goalkeeper.
“There aren’t many players on the market – and you can’t just make one (keeper).”
Bayern’s number one target remains Borussia Moenchengladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer, although the Foals’ sporting director said on Saturday “we will not give up on Yann Sommer. We also told Bayern Munich.”
Eintracht Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp, who traveled to Qatar as part of Germany’s side alongside Neuer, said Thursday he was not concerned by media reports linking him to the Bavarian side.
“Manuel Neuer is injured. He has not ended his career. We know what a goalkeeper Manuel is,” said Trapp.
“I haven’t really paid attention. I read it, of course, but we’re in the middle of the season here.
Trapp said the speculation was “a good sign, because it’s a confirmation of my performance” but said he was happy in Frankfurt – having rejected approaches from Manchester United in the summer.
“We had the same conversation in the summer that it was canceled because we had such a great plan here.”
Frankfurt are fourth in the league and have qualified for the Round of 16 of the Champions League for the first time. They will face Italian Serie A leaders Napoli.