Bayern Munich’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has refuted suggestions that reported Arsenal and West Ham United target Corentin Tolisso has no future at the Bundesliga champions, while speaking to TZ.
Four years after becoming the most expensive acquisition in Bayern’s history, reports last week suggested that the Allianz Arena outfit could sell their injury-hit World Cup winner for as little as £8 million.
Tolisso has started just nine Bundesliga games across the last three seasons and, given his history of muscle problems, there are major doubts about whether the France international is capable of playing the sort of high-pressing, high-octane football Julian Nagelsmann will look to perfect in Bavaria.
According to BILD, Tolisso has been offered a fresh start in the Premier League at West Ham United.
David Moyes certainly has a fine track record when it comes to revitalising players in need of a new beginning; see Jesse Lingard, Craig Dawson and Manuel Lanzini.
It is understood that Tolisso has also been offered to Arsenal as part of a deal that would see the out-of-favour Hector Bellerin leave behind the Emirates to become a leading man at FC Hollywood.
But Salihamidzic has now distanced Bayern from such claims, emphatically refuting suggestions that Tolisso is no longer part of Nagelsmann’s plans.
No Premier League switch for Corentin Tolisso?
“That’s not true,” Salihamidzic said after Friday’s opening-day 1-1 draw at perennial ‘bogey club’ Borussia Monchengladbach.
At 27 and with a history of injury problems taking their toll on his body and his reputation, Tolisso does tick many boxes for an Arsenal side who appear to be prioritising young, up-and-coming talents with the world at their feet.
Ben White, the oldest of their three summer signings, is just 23.
According to reports, Arsenal are interested in signing 21-year-old Mali international Cheick Doucoure from Lens, although top-flight rivals Aston Villa are leading the race after making a £10 million bid last week.
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