Bayern Munich are expected to need an experienced No.2 behind Jonas Urbig once Manuel Neuer eventually ends his career. According to Kicker, Baumann is “certainly” being discussed at Säbener Straße as one of the options for the role.
Neuer extended his Bayern contract for another season after his future was uncertain earlier this year, but the 40-year-old is now expected to leave the club next summer. Urbig is viewed as the long-term No.1, leaving Bayern to consider who should provide experienced cover.
Baumann fits that profile. The 36-year-old has spent much of his career in the Bundesliga and has been Hoffenheim’s first-choice goalkeeper for years.
There is, however, another factor in his decision. Baumann is pursuing the league appearance record held by Eintracht Frankfurt legend Charly Körbel, who finished his career with 602 Bundesliga matches.
Kicker reports that Baumann currently has 527 appearances, leaving him 75 behind Körbel. He could potentially overtake the record in a little more than two seasons if he continues to play regularly, something that would be unlikely at Bayern.
That creates an obvious tension around a possible transfer. Joining Bayern would give Baumann the chance to become part of one of Germany’s biggest clubs, but accepting a backup role behind Urbig would make it considerably harder to reach Körbel’s total.
The situation is not yet at the stage of a concrete move. Bayern are still waiting for greater clarity over Neuer’s plans before deciding how to restructure their goalkeeping department.
Other names remain in the discussion, with Finn Dahmen, Marvin Schwäbe, Bernd Leno and Daniel Heuer Fernandes also reported as possible candidates.
For Baumann, the next few months could therefore involve a choice between two very different ambitions: joining Bayern as an experienced deputy or remaining at Hoffenheim with a realistic chance of chasing one of the Bundesliga’s most enduring records.