Leeds United meet asking price for Alex Nubel from Bayern Munich as snub emerges
Leeds United met the asking price for Alex Nubel in a move that Bayern Munich had “not been able to imagine” before the goalkeeper rejected the move, Kicker reports.
With long-time starter Illan Meslier expected to move on this summer and Joel Robles yet to return after his contract expired the Whites need a new man at the position.
As such the Daily Mail reported early Friday morning (14 July) that contact had been made over potential move for the 26-year-old German who spent the past two seasons at Monaco on loan.
They faced competition for his signature from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart but, according to Kicker, while the German club want a possible loan as they have a young keeper coming through in Dennis Seimen, Leeds were ready to stump up the cash.
Bayern’s current asking price has reportedly fallen from €15million to between €8m and €10m [between £6.8m and £8.6m, down from £12.8m].
The Whites were reportedly willing and able to sign Nubel for that price, but the Allianz Arena keeper has snubbed a move because he isn’t interested in the Championship and would rather stay in the German top flight.
Stark reality
Relegation brings with it obvious pitfalls and a reduced ability to attract transfer targets is perhaps chief among them, so it is perhaps no surprise that this move looks to have fallen flat.
Leeds United will need to move on quickly though if Meslier is indeed to depart Elland Road this summer, because they will be left very light in goal if he does.
Kristoffer Klaesson is unproven, and even if Daniel Farke were to trust the Norwegian to make the step up to starter there is currently no senior experience behind him.
Meslier’s form last season dropped off to the point where he was the subject of high-profile criticism and lost his place to Robles under Sam Allardyce.
That appears to have led to a somewhat depressed market for his services this summer, but it would still be a surprise for the French under-21 international to remain for next term.
Leeds United certainly don’t expect him to otherwise they wouldn’t be putting reasonable money on the table to sign a replacement.
It doesn’t look like it has any chance of being Nubel though so Farke and his recruitment department will need to find somebody who is willing to make the move to West Yorkshire.
In other Leeds United news, the 49ers are ready to finance a league-high wage bill to help keep hold of four first-team stars.