Leeds United had a summer transfer window of numerous arrivals, with ten joining Daniel Farke’s ranks in total. However, not all of their primary targets came in.
Leeds United considered players from some of European football’s elite clubs, landing players like Noah Okafor from AC Milan, Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff, and Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
It shows the pull of the Premier League in many ways, but it was not guaranteed to be the Brazilian goalkeeper coming in as Leeds’ new number-one. For example, Vanja Milinkovic Savic and Perri were both options for Leeds.
But there were other names who also cropped up as well. Alexander Nubel of Bayern Munich emerged as a Leeds target two seasons ago now. His name didn’t go away this summer, either.
Alexander Nubel could be a long-term option for Leeds again
Nubel is backed to become Germany’s first-choice at some stage in his career. However, the 29-year-old is currently taking part in his third successive loan from Bayern Munich to VfB Stuttgart.
Three summers ago now, Nubel could have joined Leeds for just under £7 million. Nothing materialised but the links did not go away when Nubel was also linked for £8 million just over a year ago in the summer of 2023.
In fact, it’s stated Farke wanted Nubel over Perri this summer as well. The club did not go for the German, but he is very much a long-term option they have considered.
With Perri at the club and similar in age, it is perhaps unlikely that Nubel will ever move to Elland Road. But the future is never certain and Nubel’s future has been discussed by Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
He says that Nubel currently ruling out another loan spell for the 2026/27 season. He adds that Manuel Neuer extending his contract once again will mean a permanent transfer for Nubel is the most likely option.
The interesting aspect is that a permanent move to Stuttgart after the end of the season is considered unlikely at this stage. His loan deal with finally end after three years in 2026.
Plettenberg says, following his contract extension with Bayern last April, he earns between €11-12 million gross per year, with Stuttgart currently covering around one-third of that amount.
Alexander Nubel’s career stats
Nubel hasn’t had a permanent home to settle in at, with loans to Monaco and Stuttgart after joining Bayern Munich from Schalke.
| Team | Appearances | Goals conceded | Clean sheets |
| Schalke 04 | 53 | 76 | 16 |
| Bayern Munich | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| AS Monaco | 97 | 126 | 24 |
| VfB Stuttgart | 89 | 123 | 27 |
| Germany | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Interestingly, that follows a similar career path to Neuer. But he has never hit those heights. He is unlikely to ever be considered as Germany’s number-one, either.
That said, his two caps have come in recent seasons. Nubel was capped twice in 2024, but he has not received any further caps since.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
