Bayern Munich are pursuing Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel as part of a deliberate plan to manage the post-Manuel Neuer era without rushing their younger options into the spotlight too soon.
Neuer, who turned 40 in March, remains Bayern’s captain and first choice between the sticks, but his age makes long-term planning unavoidable.
The Bayern legend has not yet made a decision on his future, and sporting director Max Eberl has indicated he can envision an extension if the terms suit both parties.
That uncertainty, however, has not stopped the club from moving in the background.
Bayern are monitoring the 28-year-old Swiss international, whose contract at Dortmund runs until June 2028, alongside Chelsea and Newcastle United, who are also tracking his situation.
Kobel has been a consistent presence at Signal Iduna Park and brings the kind of Bundesliga-tested experience Bayern feel they need at this moment.
As confirmed by Fichajes, head coach Vincent Kompany has backed the move, believing Kobel has the maturity to handle the weight of replacing a goalkeeper of Neuer’s stature at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The decision to pursue an established name rather than fast-tracking their in-house options reflects a clear philosophy at Bayern.
Jonas Urbig, born in August 2003, joined Bayern in January 2025 on a four-and-a-half-year deal and has already made appearances in the Bundesliga and Champions League this season, but the club are not prepared to hand him the full responsibility of being number one just yet.
Kompany has been encouraged by what he has seen, yet the preference is to let Urbig develop in a supporting role rather than throw him into the pressure of being the main man prematurely.
