BAYERN MUNICH are reportedly scouting three potential long-term replacements for Manuel Neuer.
Club legend Neuer, 37, signed a one-year contract extension with the Bundesliga giants earlier this week.
The goalkeeper was limited to just 16 appearances across all competitions last season due to a horrific leg injury sustained on a ski trip in December.
He returned to competitive action in October and has since made seven appearances.
Neuer fit straight back into the Bayern starting line-up to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the top level.
And he was handed a new deal as a result, with back-up keeper Sven Ulreich also extending.
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Discussing Neuer’s new contract, manager Thomas Tuchel said: “As long as he feels as good and keeps it as he is. We’re not giving it any limits. Then he can stand in goal for as long as he wants.”
But although the Germany international has committed his future to Bayern Munich, club officials have already started scouting his potential long-term replacement.
AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan, Switzerland international Gregor Kobel and on-loan Alexander Nubel are being considered.
Nubel is currently on loan at Stuttgart from Bayern and has impressed in recent performances.
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But Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims Kobel is the ideal candidate to take over from Neuer.
Plettenberg said: “We really believe that he [Kobel] could inherit Manuel Neuer’s position at some point.”
Meanwhile, club icon Thomas Muller is expected to remain at the Allianz Arena beyond 2024.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk