The future of FC Bayern’s goalkeeping remains one of the most exciting personnel issues at Säbener Straße. While Manuel Neuer has not yet decided whether he will extend his expiring contract for another year, strategic decisions are already being made in the background for the time after that. Many fans and experts are convinced that Jonas Urbig will take over the captain’s legacy in the long term. A new report from Brazil is nevertheless causing a stir – and raising questions
As the Brazilian portal Diário do Peixe reports, FC Bayern has made an offer for Gabriel Brazao from FC Santos. According to the report, the Munich club is said to be offering twelve million euros for 70 per cent of the player rights – a total package of around 17 million euros. The 25-year-old, whose contract runs until 2028, is regarded in Brazil as a strong line keeper with excellent reflexes
However, this is precisely where the problem lies: Brazao is a classic reactive goalkeeper who thrives on his athletic qualities, but less on his playful build-up play. For a club that has revolutionized the goalkeeping game for over ten years with Manuel Neuer and whose basic philosophy is based on the goalkeeper playing along, this would be a clear break in style. Brazao is also considered to be largely fully developed at the age of 25 – major leaps of adaptation are therefore unlikely
All the more reason to be skeptical as to whether such a transfer really fits in with Bayern’s long-term orientation
Urbig remains Bayern’s hope – Nübel and Peretz as alternatives
There is currently little to suggest that Bayern will actually have to actively search for an external successor to Neuer. The goalkeeper position is better filled than it has been for years. In addition to Neuer, FCB have Jonas Urbig, Alexander Nübel and Daniel Peretz under contract
According to BILD, 22-year-old Urbig is the clear favourite to become the number 1 of the future. He gets regular playing time, is being carefully built up behind Neuer and has already shown what he is capable of. He delivered an impressive application in the 5-0 win in Stuttgart in particular and proved that he is ready to take on the role of regular goalkeeper
Urbig is seen internally as the long-term solution – not least because he has the playful DNA of the Neuer system
Brazao rumors: reality or market noise?
Whether Bayern are actually seriously interested in Brazao remains questionable. Although Munich traditionally keep a close eye on the South American market and various talents from Brazil and Argentina have recently been linked with the club, the goalkeeper profile that FCB are looking for appears to be different to what Brazao offers
Until Neuer has made a decision, the situation remains open, but the basic direction is clear: the keeper of the future is most likely already in the Bayern goal – and goes by the name of Jonas Urbig.