FC Bayern has a goalkeeper on its radar, and he is open to the idea of a move. However, a contract option and his high salary are complicating a potential signing.
Bernd Leno is among the top candidates in FC Bayern’s search for a goalkeeper. According to Sky, the 34-year-old is high on the wish list and is very open to a move to Munich. However, a specific clause in his contract could make the transfer significantly more expensive.
Leno’s contract with Fulham does expire at the end of the season. However, the Premier League club holds an option to extend his contract through 2028. This means Bayern cannot simply plan on signing him on a free transfer next summer. If Fulham exercises this clause, a transfer fee would be required for a move.
Added to this, according to Sky, is the former German national team goalkeeper’s high salary. For Munich, therefore, the overall financial package would be decisive. The report does not specify a concrete transfer fee or salary figure.
Leno can envision taking on the role behind Urbig
From the player’s perspective, the signs are generally positive. According to the report, Leno finds the proposed role at FC Bayern very interesting. The long-term plan is for him to serve as an experienced backup behind Jonas Urbig, who is expected to rise to become the number one goalkeeper in the long run.
Leno would bring years of experience from the Bundesliga and the Premier League to the table. The club is looking for a goalkeeper who can support Urbig on a day-to-day basis, maintain a high standard in training, and reliably step in when needed. His willingness to accept this role is a key factor in Munich’s deliberations.
On a personal level, a return to Germany would also be appealing to Leno: he would be closer to his home in the Stuttgart area again. As early as late September, there were reports that he was open to a move to Bayern.
These plans are also tied to the future of Manuel Neuer. Internally, Bayern apparently expects their captain to retire at the end of this season. However, Neuer has not yet publicly confirmed his departure.
Leno is also not the only option. Oliver Baumann and Loris Karius are also among the candidates. Leno appears to be open to the move to Munich. Whether a transfer will materialize, however, depends largely on the terms under which Fulham would be willing to let him go.