SCHALKE have stripped Alexander Nubel of the captaincy after he agreed to join Bayern Munich on a free transfer in the summer – but Manuel Neuer doesn’t want him at the club.
Nubel, 23, will join the reigning Bundesliga champions on July 1 after signing a pre-contract agreement this week.
Nubel, right, has been stripped of the Schalke captaincy after agreeing to join Bayern Munich – with Manuel Neuer furious
The German goalkeeper agreed to a five-year deal at the Allianz Arena, with Schalke replacing Nubel as captain with midfielder Omar Mascarell.
But current Bayern stopper Neuer – ten years Nubel’s senior at 33 years old – is furious his club have already lined-up his long-term replacement and will fight for his shirt.
Neuer has struggled with form and injuries in recent months, with increased speculation he could be dumped as Germany’s No1, with Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen breathing down his neck.
The German, who also joined Bayern from Schalke – in 2011 – is out of contract in June 2021.
When asked if he was worried about being dropped by Germany boss Joachim Low, Neuer roared: “No.
“The statements made were clear. I focus on my performance. The coaching staff will make the final decision.
“In the last few weeks I have played very well, I don’t think about it.”
NUBEL vs NEUER
But reports in Germany have claimed he is cross Bayern are considering replacing him for what will be the final year of his contract in Munich.
Nubel’s rise to prominence has been rapid, after he was installed as Schalke’s No1 last season – ousting club legend Ralf Fahrmann.
Fahrmann was then loaned to Norwich for the 2019-20 season with Nubel seen as the future of the club.
Nubel – a Tottenham transfer target – had a clause in his contract which meant he would be allowed to leave on loan should he not see enough game-time.
In that instance, his deal at Schalke would be automatically extended.
However, as Nubel played enough to nullify the clause, his contract was not extended – and he has stunned club officials by quitting the club to join Bayern.
Nubel has now been removed as captain after only getting the armband at the start of the season and could even be frozen out for the remainder of 2019-20.
The stopper will definitely miss his side’s upcoming games as he is serving a four-match ban for an horrific, chest-high tackle against Eintracht Frankfurt before Germany’s winter break.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
