- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Premier League trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been made aware of Kingsley Coman’s likely availability as Bayern Munich prepare to bring in Michael Olise from Crystal Palace.
The long-serving winger is facing an uncertain future at the German giants this summer.
Four years after scoring the winner against his old employers Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, Kingsley Coman has slipped down the pecking order.
The Frenchman started only 15 Bundesliga games in 2023/24. Opportunities could be restricted further when Michael Olise arrives, Bayern expected to seal a deal for the Crystal Palace talisman.
Vincent Kompany’s side have also opened talks with fellow wideman Leroy Sane about a new contract, while Jamal Musiala made the left-sided role his own under Thomas Tuchel last term.
Arsenal and Liverpool contacted about Kingsley Coman
HITC understands that Coman is not sure if he has a place at the Allianz Arena.
Lines of dialogue have been opened up with a number of high-profile Premier League clubs, via intermediaries. It remains to be seen, however, if any of Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool would be willing to spend the £50 million required on a 28-year-old with a history of injury issues.
Coman missed 21 games last season. He also admitted to TF1 back in 2018 that so many fitness issues had left him considering retirement at the age of just 22.
HITC have also been told that there is long-standing interest from Barcelona and PSG, where Coman started his career. Neither club is likely to make a move this summer, however, with Bayern maybe hoping for bids from the Saudi Pro League if they want to get the World Cup runner-up off their books.
There are a number of clubs in Saudi Arabia who would be willing to meet Coman’s £50 million asking price, though it is not certain if he’d consider leaving European football behind after only recently celebrating his 28th birthday.
When fit and firing, Coman remains ‘one of the best wingers’ in the game, to quote former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann.
Bayern Munich future uncertain as Michael Olise arrives
“King is one of the most important players for us. He has the ability to solve any one-on-one situation on the pitch,” Nagelsmann told Kicker in 2022. “King is one of the best players in Europe when it comes to (being) a winger.
“He’s also a brilliant character and an important part of the dressing room.”
Coman is also one of the most decorated footballers of the modern era. He famously won the league title for 11 successive seasons at PSG, Juventus and Bayern before Bayer Leverkusen broke that remarkable streak under Xabi Alonso.
In nearly a decade with Bayern, meanwhile, Coman has 63 goals and 66 assists.
“It’s madness how fast Kingsley has integrated at Bayern,” the then-Allianz Arena boss Pep Guardiola said after a teenage Coman arrived from Turin in 2015, via Four Four Two.
“He has rare dribbling skills that you do not see very often.”
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