Yann Sommer has played down speculation linking him with Premier League giants Manchester United while insisting that he still has ‘two years’ left on his contract at Bayern Munich.
If you were to rank the finest shot-stoppers of the last ten years, Manuel Neuer, Alisson Becker and perhaps even Manchester United’s own David de Gea would probably find themselves fighting for a place on your podium.
But what about Yann Sommer? Is there a case to be made that the Switzerland international is the most underrated goalkeeper of the modern era?
“He’s the best in the world,” former Borussia Monchengladbach team-mate Joe Scally told the Bundesliga website after Sommer saving a staggering 19 shots during a 1-1 draw with future Bayern Munich during the first half of last season.
“He does this every single week. Every game we just expect it from him because we know he’s the best goalie.
“He gives the defence so much confidence. He gives the team confidence because we know that if something happens then he’s there to save us. He’s just unbelievable.”
Manchester United could go for Bayern Munich’s Yann Sommer
Sommer’s age – he turns 35 in December – means he is unlikely to be the first name on the lips of Manchester United supporters dreaming of a Diogo Costa or an Andre Onana. But with a striker, a midfielder and maybe even a new defender set to eat up most of Erik ten Hag’s summer budget, could Sommer be something of a stop-gap solution; replacing De Gea between the sticks while United put plans in place for a more long-term addition some 12 months later down the line?
TalkSPORT say that Sommer is a long-term target of the Red Devils boss. He only joined Bayern in an £8 million deal in January. But Sommer is reportedly ready to leave if Manuel Neuer is installed as the first-choice after recovering from a broken leg.
With everything up in the air for the time being, Sommer was reluctant to give too much away; quizzed on his future ahead of Switzerland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Andorra on Friday.
“I still have two years of contract with Bayern,” Sommer tells SRF. “And I’m very happy about it. For this reason, I’m very relaxed.
“Now, I’m with the national team and then I’ll have a few days off. I’ll think about the future (later on).”
Portuguese publication CM Jornal reports that Man United are in talks with Diogo Costa; perhaps the best young ball-playing goalkeeper in the game and a man tailor-made for Ten Hag’s purist principles.
Porto, however, have allegedly made it clear to Costa’s agent – Jorge Mendes – that he will not be going anywhere for a penny less than his £65 million release clause (A Bola).
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