Bayern Munich and Schalke have finally reached a deal that will send Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to Bayern for a reported €18m, with a further €7m dependent on the club’s success during his stay.
It was no secret that Bayern were interested in Neuer, who had only one year left on his current deal at Schalke. With no other serious bidders for his services, to get potentially €25m for Neuer is a good business deal for Schalke.
Neuer was brilliant in Schalke’s run to the Champions League semi-finals, especially in the semi-final first left against Manchester United where kept the score respectable.
After the move was announced Neuer said:
“I’m very pleased about the great and exciting challenge at Bayern,” said Neuer. “A lot of colleagues in the national team will be my team-mates so I won’t break completely new ground and I’ll definitely adopt fast.”
At €25m, Neuer is the second most expensive goalkeeper in history, but he is a long away from Gianluigi Buffon who cost Juventus €52.29 million when they bought him from Parma in 2001.