Kingsley Coman looks set to make a move this summer.
With the summer transfer window set to close on Friday night, time is running out for Arsenal to make further additions.
Mikel Arteta has already added Riccardo Calafiori to his ranks this summer, whilst David Raya’s loan move from Brentford has also been converted into a permanent switch, and the signing of Mikel Merino was announced earlier today.
However, the Gunners may well feel that they still need more. Ian Wright has urged Arsenal to sign another attacker, to provide cover for Bukayo Saka.
The North London club are certainly light on trusted, quality options in the wide areas. Although Reiss Nelson is expected to stay at Arsenal, Arteta clearly lacks faith in the Hale End academy graduate, as he only handed him one Premier League start last season.
There is currently a huge burden on Saka to remain fit and firing on all cylinders week in, week out. There is a strong argument to be made that the 22-year-old needs more back up.
As reported by L’Equipe, Kingsley Coman has now informed Bayern Munich that he wishes to leave the club in this transfer window.
This has given rise to the suggestion that Arsenal could swoop for Coman.
READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window
Why Arsenal won’t sign Kingsley Coman
Whilst on paper a move for Coman would make some sense for the Gunners to think about – he could support Saka and is experienced at the highest level – it’s hard to imagine that Arteta would consider the Frenchman to be a suitable fit for his squad at this time.
For a start, the 28-year-old does not fit the age profile that the Gunners tend to target. Whilst Arteta was willing to look beyond Merino’s age, the Spanish coach would surely be less comfortable doing so when it comes to signing a winger.
Coman would be expected to be explosive, and Arteta has rarely targeted players in this age bracket for roles in that part of the pitch. Leandro Trossard may be the exception, but the Belgian has never been overly-reliant upon his pace, and it is worth remembering that he was a second choice target after Arsenal missed out on the much younger Mykhailo Mudryk.
On top of that, Coman’s numbers would not offer the Gunners further encouragement. In terms of goals, he has never hit double figures in a league campaign in his entire career. In 296 appearances for the German giants, across all competitions, he has netted just 64 times.
Given Saka is Arsenal’s most potent goalscorer, bringing in a player who can’t come close to replicating his output as back up would make little sense.
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