Bayern Munich set to sign World Cup star to replace Neuer

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 2 min read

Bayern Munich have begun talks to sign a replacement for Manuel Neuer after the goalkeeper was ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken leg he suffered while skiing.

Neuer claimed he was away with family ‘trying to get his head clear’ after Germany’s dismal group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.

The 36-year-old’s contract expires in 2024 and Bayern have sounded out long-term replacements, with the club landing on one particular target so far in Dominik Livakovic.

RECRUITS: Ten players who could join Bayern Munich in January

Livakovic has been a stand out performer in Qatar, earning back-to-back man of the match awards after he made multiple saves to help Croatia knock out both Japan and Brazil on penalties.

The Dinamo Zagreb stopper is into the last 18 months of his contract and will likely leave the club having made more than 250 appearances across seven seasons.

Talks are in the early stages according to Sky Sport Germany, with a move for Livakovic preferred to recalling Alexander Nubel from his loan at Monaco.

Livakovic ready made for Bayern

Despite being a regular for Croatia’s national since 2017, Livakovic has spent his entire career in his home nation, being named the Prva HNL best Croatian goalkeeper for the past four years.

Livakovic has been capped 39 times and was part of Croatia’s squad that finished runners-up in the 2018 World Cup, but he didn’t become his country’s first-choice until the following year.

He also starred for Dinamo in their 2020/21 Europa League campaign, conceding one goal in his first five games and saving multiple penalties before helping his side knockout Tottenham to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history and earning him a place in the competition’s team of the season.

A cost-effective keeper in his prime who has delivered in big moments in his career and is ready to make the step up, Livakovic appears to be a no-brainer for Bayern and the German side are likely to be the front runners for his signature when the January transfer window opens.