Bayern Munich have first bid rejected for talented FC Köln goalkeeper | OneFootball

Bayern Munich have recently intensified their pursuit of FC Koln goalkeeper Jonas Urbig. The 21-year-old talent is Bayern’s most desired option as a potential backup for Manuel Neuer. The personal terms have been fully agreed between the Urbig and Bayern. It’s just a matter of the clubs coming to an agreement on the transfer fee.

According to Sky Sports, Bayern Munich’s first bid for Jonas Urbig has been rejected by FC Koln. The offer made was of a €5 million fixed fee with an additional €5 million in add-ons. The 2. Bundesliga club values Urbig higher and wants at least €8 million in fixed fee. Bayern, however, are unwilling to go beyond the €6.5–7 million range. Both clubs agree on a €10 million package, but it’s the ratio of fixed fees and add-ons that is the sticking point in the negotiation. The ball is now in Bayern's court as they have to send an improved bid for the player. The Rekordmeister aim to get the deal over the line before the winter transfer window closes on February 3.

Daniel Peretz was the team’s second-choice goalkeeper this season before sustaining a kidney contusion during training, which has left him sidelined indefinitely. This has prompted Bayern to sign Urbig sooner than previously planned as he's now the club’s top candidate to be Neuer’s backup for the remainder of the season. With Daniel Peretz likely to go out on loan next season, Urbig will get significant game time as he would share the goalkeeping workload with Manuel Neuer.

While Urbig remains the most realistic candidate, Bayern have also been monitoring other young goalkeepers, including Bart Verbruggen of Brighton and Kevin Mier of Cruz Azul.

Urbig struggling for minutes at Köln

Jonas Urbig enjoyed regular playing time with Greuther Fürth in the 2. Bundesliga last season. However, after returning to his parent club FC Köln, things have not gone quite as expected for the young keeper this season. The 21-year-old has not featured for Köln between the sticks since November, with Marvin Schwäbe preferred by the coach as the team's first-choice goalkeeper. This raises questions about the club’s high valuation of Urbig despite him not being their first-choice option.

Urbig continues to get regular callups for the German National Under-21 team, having most recently featured in a 2–2 draw against France in November last year. He has been a part of the youth national teams through every rank starting from the U-17s.