Corentin Tolisso has been encouraged to consider a move away from Bayern Munich by France legend Bixente Lizarazu amid claims that the World Cup winner could end up at Arsenal this summer, according to AZ.
If the Bavarian giants really are ‘FC Hollywood’, then Tolisso is a supporting cast member at best.
A former Lyon star was expected to be the leading man when he moved to the Bundesliga for a club-record £40 million deal three years ago. But a series of injuries have seen him fall down the pecking order, behind the likes of Thiago, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.
And while there is no doubt that Tolisso would walk into Arsenal’s starting XI without breaking sweat, his fitness record must be a concern to Mikel Arteta and co. Since the start of the 2018/19 season, the 25-year-old has started just eight Bundesliga matches.
That has not stopped talk of a move to England, however, with Fussball Transfers claiming that the Arsenal and Manchester United target is dreaming of the Premier League.
And Lizarazu, a 97-cap Frenchman who won five Bundesliga titles in two spells at Bayern, feels that a parting of the ways may be unavoidable.
“At a club like Bayern, you have to be a great fighter. Tolisso is a very good player. If he believes he doesn’t have a chance (to play) and doesn’t feel good, it would perhaps be better to try out something new. That sometimes happens in a career,” the 50-year-old says.
“After a long injury, it always takes a long time until you are as strong as before.
“And if Joshua Kimmich and Thiago play as well as in this second half of the season, you will have a hard time getting there (back in the team).”
A player with Tolisso’s proven track record and eye-catching array of trophies would surely make a huge impact both on and off the pitch at an Arsenal side severely lacking when it comes to an winning mentality.
That worrying history of injuries, however, casts doubt on whether Arsenal should invest so much of their already reduced summer budget on Tolisso’s signature.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
