Bayern Munich are plotting their succession plan for Manuel Neuer and have three candidates who could replace him... despite Thomas Tuchel stating the World Cup winner 'can play as long as he wants' after renewing his contract this week

Bayern Munich are already lining up several goalkeepers who could replace Manuel Neuer as the club's first-choice shot-stopper. 

It interestingly comes after the German World Cup winner signed a year-long contract extension with the Bundesliga champions, despite having missed out on most of the year with a fractured leg. 

Bayern also renewed the contract of back-up 'keeper Sven Ulreich, who has stepped in for Neuer this season after the 37-year-old suffered a horrific skiing accident in December 2022. 

But with ambitions to improve their squad as they endeavour to continue their dominance in the German top-flight as well as secure their first Champions League title since 2020, Thomas Tuchel's side have, according to Sky Germany, built a shortlist of three options who could take the gloves off Neuer. 

Despite that, they are not wanting to oust Neuer from his position just yet, with the Bayern boss admitting that the two-time European cup winner could continue to play for as long as he wants. 

'As long as he feels as good and keeps it as he is. We're not giving it any limits,' Tuchel said of Neuer, who joined the club back in 2011 and currently ranks 11th on their all-time top appearances list. 

He added: 'Then he can stand in goal for as long as he wants.'

Since his accident, Neuer has come back into the side to play seven times this season and has shown he still has what it takes to compete at the top, making two brilliant saves to deny FC Copenhagen a shock win during last week's Champions League fixture. 

But with the future in mind, the Bundesliga side have identified AC Milan's Mike Maignan, Switzerland international Gregor Kobel and Alexander Nubel, who is on loan from Bayern at Stuttgart, as replacements.

Nubel presents the cheapest option, considering he is already on the books at the German club and is under contract with Bayern until 2025.

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has said: 'We really believe that he [Kobel] could inherit Manuel Neuer's position at some point.'

The journalist also added that Bayern have been impressed with his progress, with Nubel having also spent time with Schalke and Monaco, with Leeds previously having shown an interest in signing him. 

Meanwhile, Maignan is seen as one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe right now and played a key part in helping AC Milan reach the semi-finals of last year's Champions League. 

After rising through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain, the Frenchman would go on to enjoy a six-year spell with Lille, before joining AC Milan in 2021. 

While a calf injury had kept him out for four months last season, his impressive performances in net have garnered him the attention of several clubs around the Premier League, with Chelsea having been keen to sign the 28-year-old who's contract will expire in 2026. 

And Plettenberg admitted that Bayern are 'definitely interested in him and are watching closely how he develops.'

Kobel is the final name on the list and could join a small group of players, that includes Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze and Matts Hummels who have crossed the divide between rivals Borussia Dortmund and Bayern. 

The 25-year-old joined Edin Terzic's side in 2021 from Stuttgart, with the Switzerland international going on to establish himself as their first choice between the sticks. 

Kobel has also worn the captain's armband on several occasions this year and has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Manchester United. 

Despite that, should Bayern want to sign him, they face a tough task of trying to prise him away from their rivals, with Dortmund likely to charge a higher fee to acquire him. 

They will also have to meet his six-figure wages, with Mail Sport reporting this year that Kobel is on a huge £375-per-week salary and has recently extended his contract to stay at Dortmund until 2028. 

Plettenberg adds that the Dortmund goalkeeper is on Bayern's watch list, but stated his situation with their rivals makes things difficult. 

'That's why they say at FC Bayern that it [signing Kobel] is unrealistic - because they also believe that BVB will ask for a price that is far too high,' he said. 

'If Bayern get serious about Kobel, then there will be a possibility that he will move to FC Bayern in 2025 or 2026.'

Bayern were set to return to domestic action on Saturday following their midweek draw against Copenhagen, but their match against Union Berlin has been postponed due to heavy snowfall and freezing conditions that have dropped to -13 degrees.