By kickspoll Bayern Munich is reportedly monitoring one of the Premier League’s standout young goalkeepers as the German giants prepare for a succession plan for club legend Manuel Neuer.
The English goalkeeper, who has missed the first few matches of the season due to injury, has since played every minute for his club in the Premier League. This performance has attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Bayern now among those keeping a close eye on him, according to Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
Bart Verbruggen, the goalkeeper in question, plays for Brighton, which has faced challenges defensively this season. Despite this, the 22-year-old is highly regarded and has played a crucial role in helping the team rise to sixth place. Additionally, Verbruggen has quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the Netherlands national team, participating in every match during their run to the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Manager Vincent Kompany, who signed Verbruggen for Anderlecht in 2020, may be interested in a reunion, but Bayern is also considering other options, including FC Koln’s Jonas Urbig, who has less than two years remaining on his contract.
Bayern may look closer to home for Neuer’s eventual replacement, with Alexander Nubel, who joined from Schalke four years ago, as a potential candidate. Nubel is currently on loan at Stuttgart and has enjoyed a productive season after a successful stint at Monaco.
Despite Neuer’s age, the 38-year-old continues to defy expectations, and Bayern is actively working to secure his future by negotiating a new deal as his current contract expires next summer. Since joining Bayern from Schalke in 2011, Neuer has made 529 appearances, earning 247 clean sheets and winning 11 Bundesliga titles, along with two Champions League titles. He has been Germany’s first-choice keeper for over a decade, playing 124 matches and leading the national team to victory in the 2014 World Cup.
While Neuer’s retirement may be on the horizon, Verbruggen, whose contract at Brighton extends until 2028, appears to be a promising option for the future.