Alexander Nübel could return to FC Bayern München ahead of schedule. The former FC Schalke 04 goalkeeper would be a replacement for Manuel Neuer.

According to a Sky report, German football record champions FC Bayern München are negotiating with AS Monaco about an early return of goalkeeper Alexander Nübel.

“Yes, Bayern want to bring Alexander back and have informed me about it. It is now mainly up to the clubs to find an agreement. It is important for Alexander to know what his perspective is,” the TV channel quoted Nübel’s advisor Stefan Backs as saying on Wednesday.

After the injury of regular goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the Bundesliga football club is urgently looking for a keeper for the rest of the season. Bayern have only one experienced goalkeeper left in their squad in Sven Ulreich (34). After the winter break, the league leaders will play their first game at RB Leipzig (20 January, 8.30 pm).

Nübel moved to the Isar from FC Schalke 04 in the summer of 2020 as a potential successor to national goalkeeper Neuer. After appearing in only four competitive matches in his first season, the former U21 international goalkeeper was loaned to Monaco for two years in the summer of 2021. Since then, he has been a regular player for the sixth-placed team in the French Ligue 1.

Nübel’s loan deal with Monaco runs until 30 June 2023, meaning FC Bayern München would have to pay financial compensation to the Monegasques to bring the 26-year-old back early. According to Sky information, a transfer fee in the seven-figure euro range is in the offing for the deal.

Nübel could show in at least six months without Neuer, who broke his lower leg on a ski tour last week, whether he really has the calibre to be a Bayern regular goalkeeper. But he might also have to step back into the second row behind Neuer afterwards. Nübel, who was born in Paderborn, had repeatedly described this as a no-go. (with dpa)