Bayern Munich chief confirms Kingsley Coman decision amid Saudi Arabia links

Bayern Munich board member for sport Max Eberl has confirmed that Kingsley Coman will remain at the club this summer.

The 28-year-old has been tipped to leave the Allianz Arena this summer, with one recent report claiming that he was keen to seek pastures new after almost a decade at the club.

Arsenal had been credited with an interest in Coman, but the Premier League club opted to sign Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea.

A move to Saudi Arabia has also been mooted for the France international, with reports last week claiming that he had accepted an offer to join Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal.

However, the winger's agent Christian Emile has since denied those rumours, saying: "It's not true. Kingsley has not accepted any bid at this stage."

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Saudi-linked Coman to stay at Bayern

While the vast majority of European transfer windows have now closed, the Saudi Pro League window slams shut on September 2, and the decision has been made for Coman to stay put at Bayern.

Speaking to reporters, as quoted by 90min, Bayern chief Ebrel said: "[Coman] is staying with us. It's good to have an international break straight after the transfer window. It's fun to build a squad.

"You discuss many things, what's doable. Planning a squad is a puzzle of people with feelings. It's like an orchestra. You build a group with which you try to achieve your goals."

Coman, who still has three years remaining on his Bayern contract, is not guaranteed regular first-team football with the Bundesliga giants this term and has already been restricted to three substitute outings.

Indeed, Coman is having to compete with the likes of Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Mathys Tel and £50m summer signing Michael Olise for starts under new head coach Vincent Kompany.

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Coman to stay, but what about Muller?

Coman has spent the last nine years with Bayern and has contributed with 64 goals and 66 assists in 297 appearances across all competitions, winning a total of 19 trophies, including eight Bundesliga titles.

Another long-serving attacker is club legend Thomas Muller, who is out of contract next summer and is facing an uncertain future at the Allianz Arena.

"Only the body ages. I fight against that," Muller told reporters on Sunday. "I feel good physically. Accordingly, there doesn't need to be an end in sight for me. Let's just take it easy. It's not about me personally, it's not about any contract periods. It's simple.

"I'm just trying to show the coach that I am also a viable option for the starting lineup. We are at the beginning of the season, for which I absolutely have a contract."

Muller, who has spent his entire 16-year senior career at Bayern, was speaking after scoring on his record-breaking 710th appearance for the Bavarian giants in a 2-0 Bundesliga home win over Freiburg.

Written by
Oliver Thomas