Sommer drives Man Utd transfer fee up with Bayern star-turn
Stuart Telford
- 28 Aug 2022 10:49 BST
- 3 min read
Yann Sommer has been linked with a summer transfer to Manchester United. He won't come cheap after Saturday's star-turn for Borussia Monchengladbach against Bayern Munich.
United are in the market for a replacement goalkeeper for David de Gea, the Spaniard's once supreme level having dipped in recent seasons.
The Red Devils are nearing a loan deal with an option to buy for Newcastle's Martin Dubravka, but the Slovak shot-stopper would likely act as an understudy to De Gea, rather than displace him as first choice.
Ain't no party like a Sommer save party. 🥳☀️#Bundesliga | @Borussia_en pic.twitter.com/LrthAejJJ0
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 18, 2022
United - who chose De Gea over Manuel Neuer in 2011 when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge - have been scouting Germany for an alternative. Kevin Trapp was top of their list, but he has reaffirmed his commitment to Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
That leaves Sommer, the Switzerland No.1 who is widely regarded as the Bundesliga's best goalkeeper not called Neuer but still ranked at just €3m by Football Transfers' sophisticated inhouse algorithm.
Gladbach could cash in
Sommer's contract at Gladbach expires next summer so his current employers could be tempted to cash in early, but his fee will be more significant after Saturday's heroics.
Sommer made some 19 saves as the Foals held perennial champions Bayern to a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena - a single-game Bundesliga record. Bayern leader Thomas Muller was understandably frustrated post-match.
"We all know that Yann Sommer always plays his best game of the year against us," lamented the Germany forward. "Not all of our shots were unstoppable, but he practically didn't let anything go through."
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As well as being a magnificent shot-stopper, Sommer's actions with the ball leave De Gea, quite literally, standing.
He averaged a defensive action outside of his box every game he played last season, whilst his 37 passes attempted per 90 minutes put him in the 94th percentile among goalkeers league-wide.
If United want to sign Sommer this summer, they will need to stump up the cash.
