Arsenal and Manchester United are ready to go head to head in the race to sign Corentin Tolisso from Bayern Munich.
According to SportBild, Bayern Munich are prepared to offload Corentin Tolliso this summer in an attempt to make way for expected new signing Marcel Sabitzer. It has put a number of top clubs on red alert, including Arsenal and Manchester United, who are prepared to rival Juventus and West Ham in the race to sign the midfielder.
Part of the Bayern team since 2017, Tolisso hasn’t had a bright spell in the Bundesliga. His career in Bavaria has been marred by injuries, with the Frenchman struggling to establish himself as a viable first-team option in recent years. As such, he has emerged as the favourite selling candidate for the club.
Tolisso’s departure should give Bayern the opportunity to bring in Sabitzer from their rival club RB Leipzig. He will be the third personnel to make that switch this summer after Julian Nagelsmann and Dayot Upamecano. The midfielder was earlier linked with a move to Premier League, with Arsenal reportedly interested.
But the Gunners appear to have set their sights on Tolisso, with Mikel Arteta desperate for midfield reinforcements. Although the club has already brought in Albert Sambi Lokonga, the departures of Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard, coupled with the loan exit of Matteo Guendouzi, have hit them hard.
Tolisso has emerged as an ideal candidate as the Frenchman can not only operate in central midfield but also as a number ten. It would potentially make a hybrid replacement for Ceballos and Odegaard, even though Arsenal remain interested in striking a deal with the latter.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s summer activity is not yet finished, it seems, despite bagging the services of Raphael Varane during the end of last month. It is no secret that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is interested in someone who can serve as an alternative to the likes of Fred, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.
Tolisso fits the bill perfectly due to his versatility in the middle of the park. The 27-year-old’s offensive prowess and creativity should also appeal to Solskjaer, who has significantly improved United’s chance-creation since taking over. The Frenchman, though, will largely be expected to tend to his duties in central midfield.
It remains to be seen how much Bayern Munich demand for the services of Tolisso, though, considering that they need €18 million to bring in Sabitzer. But his contract expires in a year, which could also affect the valuation. The report adds that the Bavarians do want at least €10 million. While that should not be a problem for Arsenal or Manchester United, his injury record could be a cause for concern for the suitors.