Before the World Cup, many people saw Ørjan Nyland, without much playing time this season, as the “weak link” in the Norwegian World Cup squad. Ståle Solbakken did not let himself be influenced, he knew the 35-year-old was exactly the goalkeeper we needed in this historic championship for Norway. Solbakken was of course right. The former Sevilla goalkeeper delivered world-class and at the same time took advantage of the most polished showcase in the world of football.
Everton, Leeds, Stuttgart. Three clubs that in the last month have been linked to our national team goalkeeper. There were also early rumours that Manchester United and Manchester City had the 35-year-old in mind for width in the goalkeeping team. Now it is reported that another big club has been in contact with free agent Nyland.
Ørjan Nyland had every reason to go home from the World Championships with his head held high. Rock-solid throughout the group stage, a goalkeeper who gave the whole team the confidence they needed to deliver. Then came the Brazil match, where Nyland was directly instrumental in the historic quarter-final ticket. Against England, the first goalkeeping blunder came from Nyland, but it was not the goalkeeper who lost the game to Norway. In any case, Nyland has played his way onto the radar of several clubs.
Now also RB Leipzig. According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Bundesliga’s 3rd best club has thrown itself into the fight for the Nyland signature.
The German journalist reports negotiations are well underway, with Nyland being thought to be a possible replacement for Peter Gulácsi, who is in talks with Spanish Villarreal.
Nyland is not only looking for a big club, but plenty of playing time. At RB Leipzig, 24-year-old Maarten Vandevoordt was put into the role of first-choice goalkeeper at the end of the season, as veteran Gulacsi headed for an expected exit in the summer. Now comes the exit, RB Leipzig need an experienced goalkeeper like Nyland, who comes directly from games on the biggest stage with success.
Young, unestablished first goalkeeper as a competitor for playing time. Title fight in the Bundesliga. Champions League games. Sounds like a good match for Nyland.
