Crucial Man Utd transfer plan disrupted as Bayern Munich move into pole position for desirable target

One of the main goalkeepers Manchester United are interested in for 2023 has become a top target for Bayern Munich instead, according to reports.

As things stand, David de Gea is the first-choice goalkeeper at Old Trafford. Indeed, he has been for more than a decade. However, the Spaniard is in the final year of his contract and there is some uncertainty as to whether he will continue at the club beyond this season.

There are also doubts about who will be occupying the role of backup goalkeeper, either to De Gea or someone else, next season. Currently, Man Utd have Martin Dubravka on loan from Newcastle, but he has barely featured.

It looks likely that Dubravka will be on his way back to Newcastle for next season. In turn, there will be some intrigue as to what happens with one of Man Utd’s own returning loan players, Dean Henderson, who is currently spending the season with Nottingham Forest.

While Man Utd continue to give thought to their hierarchy for the 2023-24 season and beyond, they have been linked with a move for Borussia Monchengladbach shot-stopper Yann Sommer.

The Switzerland international has been one of the Bundesliga’s most reliable custodians for a number of years. Like De Gea, though, he is in the final year of his contract with his current employers.

Sommer was suggested as a Man Utd target over the summer before they brought in Dubravka. Now, the links are resurfacing.

TEAMtalk has been told that the 33-year-old is someone Man Utd “have liked for a long time” by our resident transfer expert, Graeme Bailey. Now, they want to bring him in to fill the backup goalkeeper role.

However, an update from Calciomercato has warned of two rival competitors for Sommer. The Italian source claims Inter Milan are keen on him, but the current leaders for his signature are Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich want Yann Sommer as Manuel Neuer cover

The Bundesliga champions recently lost main goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to a long-term injury. Therefore, they are in need of cover until the Germany icon can return.

Reports in Germany have already indicated that Sommer could become a solution for Bayern. Now, Calciomercato relay similar information.

Since Bayern’s need is more immediate than Man Utd’s or Inter’s, they could accelerate ahead of the competition. In turn, it could send the Premier League side back to the drawing board.

It might be hard to find someone of similar pedigree to Sommer who would be willing to be a deputy to a different goalkeeper. Actually, there were already doubts over whether Sommer himself would accept such a status.

Still, optimism seemed to be growing that they could lure him to Old Trafford. If Bayern beat them to him, though, Man Utd will need to look elsewhere.

At present, it is not clear who else might be on their radar as a potential replacement for Dubravka. Perhaps the more pressing issue is what will happen with De Gea anyway.

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