FC Bayern is actively working to fill its goalkeeper position for the upcoming season. While Jonas Urbig is slated to be the future No. 1, the Munich club is looking for an experienced backup. One surprising candidate is Loris Karius. The 33-year-old is currently under contract with FC Schalke 04 and is reportedly on the record champion’s wish list. However, there are several obstacles standing in the way of a potential transfer.
The search for a goalkeeper stems from the uncertain future of Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich. Both veterans could retire next summer. This would leave a significant gap behind Urbig, which club officials hope to fill with an experienced goalkeeper.
On the BILD podcast “Bayern Insider, ” chief reporter Heiko Niedderer has now confirmed that Karius is indeed among the candidates. “We’ve already talked about the goalkeeper list; there are a few names on it—and Loris Karius is indeed one of them. That’s a name Bayern finds intriguing. They think he’s a very good goalkeeper.”
Three key issues regarding a potential Karius transfer
From a sporting perspective, Karius seems to have convinced Bayern’s management. Nevertheless, according to Niedderer, there are three factors that could complicate a move to Munich.
The first concerns the goalkeeper’s role. Karius is currently the undisputed number one at Schalke. At FC Bayern, however, he would have to settle for a spot on the bench. “That’s not entirely clear. He’s the number one at Schalke, but that also depends somewhat on their on-field performance. Still, they’d first have to convince him to join Bayern as the number two,” explained Niedderer.
Then there’s the financial side of things. Since Karius is under contract with Schalke, a transfer fee in the millions would likely be required. That’s exactly what the Munich club wants to avoid if possible. “Karius would likely cost a transfer fee—a few million—and Bayern really doesn’t want that,” the BILD reporter emphasized.
As a third potential sticking point, Niedderer brought up the goalkeeper’s public image off the field. Karius is regularly in the spotlight due to his relationship with Italian sports presenter Diletta Leotta. “Bayern also pays attention to things like that. Do they want that? That might also be an issue,” Niedderer explained. However, it’s not known whether the club’s officials actually see this as a problem.
Bayern has several alternatives on its list
Karius isn’t the only candidate the Munich club is considering anyway.
According to information from BILD, Bernd Leno of Fulham FC, Finn Dahmen of FC Augsburg, Oliver Baumann of TSG Hoffenheim, and Marvin Schwäbe of 1. FC Köln are also on the club’s internal list.
According to the report, club officials are exploring various options to prepare for the possible departure of their two experienced goalkeepers.
However, there have been no concrete negotiations with the candidates so far. For now, Bayern wants to clarify the future of Neuer and Ulreich.
Neuer and Ulreich take priority
As Niedderer reports, the decisive talks with the two veterans are expected to take place around the winter break. “They haven’t spoken to anyone yet. Bayern has this list, which they’ll go through and work their way down at some point. But they clearly want to speak with Neuer and Ulreich first—also out of respect for them and their long careers.”
This means a decision on the new No. 2 is unlikely to be made until there is clarity regarding the future of the two longtime Bayern goalkeepers.
For Karius, a move to Munich thus remains an interesting possibility, but by no means a done deal. The key factor will be whether the 33-year-old can come to terms with the role of backup behind Jonas Urbig.