Tabloid speculation links Manuel Neuer with Chelsea, other big teams around Europe

German tabloid Bild, joining forces with The Sun and thus forming the nexus of a most terrible universe, have gotten the football world to pay attention to their silly little games by linking the one and only Manuel Neuer with teams all over Europe as the veteran goalkeeper approaches the final year of his contract at Bayern.

The two sides appear to be far away in their demands at the moment, with Neuer wanting that classic long-term high-paying contract despite turning 34 today, and Bayern understandably not wanting to commit to anything of the sort. While Bild claim that it is “very questionable” that the two sides can agree, with another year left on Neuer’s contract, there’s plenty of time for talks and even more time for silly rumors like this one.

In addition to Chelsea, we get mentions of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and PSG — the four teams around Europe with the funds and the potential need for a new goalkeeper. (Bild kindly rule out Liverpool, both Manchesters, Inter, and Juventus as well.)

Would Chelsea spend that kind of money that would be required for Neuer, who’s in his ninth season of a legendary career in Bavaria? Very questionable indeed. Now, if he wants to come to compete with Kepa this summer (for cheap) or next (for free), I’m all for it. Until then, best of luck in his negotiations with Bayern.