Manchester United are ‘still interested’ in bringing Yann Sommer to the Premier League and Bayern Munich are unlikely not stand in the way of the Bundesliga veteran.
That is according to Christian Falk; the BILD reporter with an extensive knowledge of the comings and goings at the Allianz Arena.
Yann Sommer only joined Bayern in January from top-flight rivals Borussia Monchengladbach, Manuel Neuer breaking his leg in a freak skiing accident. But Bayern, Falk claims, will not stand in Sommer’s way if Neuer returns to action in time for the new campaign, the Swiss international unlikely to be too enamoured with the prospect of a backseat role in Bavaria.
“Manchester United are still interested in Yann Sommer,” Falk writes on Twitter.
“There’s a gentlemen’s agreement between Bayern and Sommer that, if Manuel Neuer is be back as number one, the club would allow the Swiss goalkeeper to leave in summer.”
Will Manchester United replace David de Gea with Yann Sommer?
David de Gea may be signing a contract extension at Old Trafford – albeit on reduced terms – but the signs suggest that Erik ten Hag is still intent on bringing in a new goalkeeper. One more au fait with his possession-based ideals.
Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, Anderlecht’s Bart Verbruggen, Brentford’s David Raya and particularly Porto’s shot-stopper/playmaker Diogo Costa would all represent considerable upgrades on De Gea in the distribution stakes.
Sommer too, even if the 34-year-old is not quite as confident in possession as Neuer; the man who’s ‘sweeper-keeper’ heroics helped transform the role of the modern goalkeeper.
‘Best in the world’
According to ESPN, Manchester United were ‘working on a deal’ for Sommer after the Qatar World Cup, shortly before he joined Bayern for a cool £8 million.
It remains to be seen, however, if Ten Hag opts for a younger option. A Verbruggen or a Costa, to act as competition and to eventually succeed De Gea between the sticks. Sommer will turn 35 in December, and is actually older than United’s long-serving Spaniard.
He is, however, a more all-round ‘number one’. A superior passer of the ball as well as one of the very best pure ‘shot-stoppers’ in world football.
“He’s the best in the world,” former Gladbach team-mate Joe Scally told the Bundesliga website; Sommer saving a staggering 19 shots during a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich earlier in the campaign.
“He does this every single week. Every game we just expect it from him because we know he’s the best goalie.
“He gives the defence so much confidence. He gives the team confidence because we know that if something happens then he’s there to save us. He’s just unbelievable.”
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