Report: Bayern Munich could pursue Bernd Leno in January as Manuel Neuer recovery lingers

According to Bild, Bayern Munich could pursue Bayern Leverkusen and Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno during the January transfer window as cover for Manuel Neuer, who is still on the shelf with a foot injury and is not yet tipped for a return to the club.

Current deputy Sven Ulreich was a late scratch from Saturday’s Bundesliga win over Eintracht Frankfurt with adductor problems, which forced Tom Starke, who retired after last season and only returned to the squad following Neuer’s latest injury, to play in Ulreich’s place. Promising teenager Christian Früchtl is also injured and is expected to miss six weeks after recent surgery.

Adding Leno to the squad would be a competitive boon and give a Bayern a clear No. 1 goalkeeper until Neuer’s return, but it would likely be at the expense of Ulreich, who has played better under Jupp Hyenckes following a shaky start with Carlo Ancelotti.

When Neuer does return, there would be three veteran goalkeepers in the squad. Depth is never a bad thing but Ulreich came to Bayern to be an understudy, whereas Leno likely would not be comfortable in that scenario.