With the transfer season upon us, a host of clubs are looking for a change at the back and are seeking a new number one. One move triggers another, which triggers another. Let’s take a look at the keeper carousel going around right now.
It all started back in January when Alexander Nübel announced his intention to leave Schalke and join Bayern at the end of the season. Initially it was thought Markus Schubert would step up seamlessly into his place, but inconsistent performances have seen the Königsblauen looking elsewhere for a new man between the posts. They have seemingly settled on Freiburg’s Alexander Schwolow with a fee of around €8 million being reported. The Breisgauer will allow back-up Mark Flekken to take over as their number one.
Union Berlin’s Rafal Gikiewicz moved to Augsburg at the end of the season after two seasons with die Eisernen. With three keepers already at the club, one of Tomas Koubek or Andreas Luthe will be expected to leave.
Hertha Berlin are also committed to bringing in a new goalkeeper to succeed Rune Jarstein. They were reportedly interested in Schwolow and have also been heavily linked with VfB Stuttgart’s Gregor Köbel, who was on-loan at the Swabians from Hoffenheim. Köbel has apparently turned them down though, favouring a permanent switch to Stuttgart. There are however three other names being linked with the Olympiastadion.
Kevin Trapp of Eintracht Frankfurt has been rumoured to be available for sale should the right bid come in. Sporting director Fredi Bobic has denied he is looking to offload the keeper, but also admitted nobody is “unsaleable”. The name of Jiri Pavlenka has also been talked about in relation to Hertha. Werder will listen to offers with the financial crisis making itself felt at Werder Bremen, and with reserve keeper Stefanos Kapino looking to leave in search of first-team football. RB Leipzig’s number two Yvon Mvogo has also been touted as a potential target.
Recent reports have also claimed that Bayer Leverkusen have had a €20 million bid for Ajax keeper Andre Onana rejected. If Peter Bosz does succeed in reuniting with his former player, where would that leave current number one Lukas Hradecky?
And so, the carousel returns to where it started with Alexander Nübel. Of all the keepers mentioned, he looks to be the one who will definitely be the number two next season with Bayern’s Manuel Neuer receiving the full backing of the club to continue as the first-choice keeper at the German champions.
