Bayern Munich goalkeeper Thomas Kraft has said he will not stay with the club if Germany keeper Manuel Neuer joins from rivals Schalke 04.
Kraft, 22, attracted plaudits for his performance for Bayern in their Champions League, Round of 16 first-leg tie a Inter on Wednesday night with a string of saves before Germany striker Mario Gomez scored to seal a 1-0 win.
His contract expires in June, but with rumours rife that Bayern are set to sign Schalke’s Neuer, Kraft has said he has no desire to sit on the bench if Germany’s Number One moves to Munich.
“If Neuer comes, then I will go. It wouldn’t make any sense to stay,” Kraft was quoted as saying in Bild.
With Neuer, 24, under contract until June 2012, Schalke will need to sell him within the next year or risk losing him to Bayern on a free transfer in 18 months.
“Manuel Neuer is the best goalkeeper in the world for me. If he is available, you have to get him,” said German legend and ex-Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer on Sky television.
Coach Louis van Gaal was impressed with Kraft’s performance in Milan.
I was always convinced about Thomas Kraft,” he said. “He showed his qualities, his great reflexes on the line. He stayed very calm during the game and that was important to us.
But Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said Neuer is a player Munich can ill afford to ignore.
“Kraft is a huge talent, but Neuer is world class.”
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