Nagelsmann unconcerned by Gladbach´s ´poker face´ amid Sommer pursuit

Julian Nagelsmann is not worried by Borussia Monchengladbach’s declaration that Yann Sommer is not for sale.

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have a goalkeeping conundrum to solve ahead of the season’s resumption later this month, after Manuel Neuer suffered a broken leg during a skiing accident.

Sommer, who is out of contract in June, has been touted as a candidate to be drafted in to fill Neuer’s void, though Gladbach’s sporting director Roland Virkus made it clear that the club were not willing to negotiate a sale.

Nagelsmann is not concerned, however, as he feels the comments are part and parcel of the mid-season window.

“I didn’t faint at the headline,” he said in a press conference when asked about Virkus’ comments.

“If he had said the door was open, his board would also have asked him, ‘is everything okay with you?’ You have to keep your poker face.”

Time for a breather #FCBayernWTC #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/mU8lLtk7Qj

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 8, 2023

Should a move for Sommer not materialise, another option for Bayern would be to recall Alexander Nubel from his loan at Monaco, though Nagelsmann claimed he has not spoken to the 26-year-old.

“I’ve never really had contact with him. He was already gone when I came, so he was never really my player,” he explained.

“I know him as a goalkeeper, but not as a person. At the very beginning we texted, but that was a long time ago. It wouldn’t do him much good if I picked up the phone.”

Should a new addition not arrive in January, Nagelsmann is happy to call on long-time back-up goalkeeper Sven Ulreich.

Nagelsmann said: “Ulreich played some great games in the first half of the season. He was very solid. That is also the case in training.

“He had a small mistake. Ulle is very relaxed and has known his role for years.”

Bayern resume their push for an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title on January 20 against RB Leipzig.