The era of Manuel Neuer in the Bayern Munich goal is officially entering its final chapter. With the legendary shot-stopper turning 40 next month and his contract set to expire in June 2026, the Bavarian giants have reportedly identified their "surprise" top target from the Premier League: Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen.
According to latest reports from TEAMtalk and Goal.com, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany is a massive admirer of the 23-year-old Dutchman and views him as the ideal long-term heir to the #1 jersey at the Allianz Arena.
Why Verbruggen?
While Bayern have traditional options like Alexander Nübel (currently on loan at Stuttgart until 2026) and the emerging Jonas Urbig, the board is reportedly looking for a "generational" ball-playing goalkeeper. Verbruggen fits the bill:
Modern Sweeper-Keeper: Much like Neuer in his prime, Verbruggen is renowned for his composure under pressure and his ability to act as an extra defender in the build-up.
Rapid Ascent: Since joining Brighton for £16m in 2023, he has displaced Robert Sanchez as the Seagulls' undisputed starter and become the Netherlands' first-choice keeper.The "Kompany" Connection: Kompany has reportedly tracked Verbruggen’s development since his time in the Belgian Pro League with Anderlecht, believing he has the "ceiling" to dominate for the next decade.
The £50m Battle
Securing Verbruggen won't be easy—or cheap. Brighton are notorious for their tough negotiation stance and have reportedly slapped a £50m ($63m) price tag on their star man.
The biggest hurdle for Bayern? Chelsea. Under sporting director Paul Winstanley—who originally brought Verbruggen to Brighton—the Blues have reportedly "approved" a massive bid of their own to bring the Dutchman to Stamford Bridge.
What This Means for Neuer
Manuel Neuer recently extended his stay in Munich until the end of the 2025-26 season, but he has been plagued by injury concerns, including a rib fracture earlier this year. While Jonas Urbig has filled in admirably during cup competitions, the pursuit of Verbruggen signals that Bayern are ready for a clean break from the "Neuer era" this summer.
"It's always a compliment to be linked with such big clubs, but I'm focused on Brighton." — Bart Verbruggen on the Bayern rumors.