‘Arsenal hold behind-the-scenes talks over Kingsley Coman deal’
Arsenal have held talks with the representatives of Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman to assess the possibility of a move to the Emirates.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that scouts have been tracking the 28-year-old’s performances this season.
Mikel Arteta is keen to add trophy-winning experience to his squad, while the addition of a new winger has become their priority ahead of the window.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 20 April that Arsenal are leading the race to sign Coman ahead of rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
After falling out of favour with Vincent Kompany, the France international is widely expected to leave Bayern Munich this summer and is weighing up his options.
Saudi Pro League sides have joined the two North London clubs in the race for Coman’s signature, but he remains keen to play Champions League football next season.
Arsenal scouts watching Kingsley Coman ahead of transfer swoop
Brown told Football Insider in January that Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Coman and had weighed up the possibility of a mid-season move.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted Arsenal’s scouts have been watching him “almost every week”.
“Coman has been impressive wherever he’s been,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s given a level of performance consistently for Bayern Munich, and the question now will be whether he can do it in the Premier League.
“He’s certainly a quality player, and one a number of teams have been looking at.
“I hear Arsenal are one of those, and they will have spoken to his agent and representatives to figure out whether he would be open to that move.
“Mikel Arteta wants to add experienced winners to his squad, and he’s certainly one of those.
“But Arsenal have to be convinced that he’s going to make a difference on the pitch.
“He cannot come and be a passenger based on his reputation like they’ve had with Raheem Sterling.
“That’s something the scouts have to figure out, they’ll have been watching him most weeks and they can assess whether his current ability matches his reputation.“
Anthony Gordon update emerges at the Emirates
Arsenal are determined to sign a new winger this summer after Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli’s injury layoffs exposed their lack of depth up top.
Brown told Football Insider that Arsenal want to sign Anthony Gordon this summer amid speculation about his future at St James’ Park.
The winger’s agent has been circulating his name as a potential option in recent weeks and is said to be driving the speculation about his future.
However, Football Insider revealed Newcastle are reluctant to let Gordon leave and Arsenal will have to spend “big money” to secure his signature.
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