Arsenal have been dealt a blow to their hopes of signing Jamal Musiala. The 21-year-old midfielder currently faces an uncertain future at Bayern Munich, having recently entered the final 18 months of his contract.
Musiala, who left Chelsea to join the German giants on a free transfer in July 2019, has featured 15 times in the Bundesliga this season, scoring nine goals and providing three assists. Playing a key role in Vincent Kompany's side, he's helped the Bavarians establish a four-point lead at the top of the table.
The Germany international's impressive performances haven't gone under the radar, with several Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring his progress. However, according to TBR Football, Musiala is ready to commit his future to Bayern.
The report states that after initial talks with the Bavarians stalled towards the end of last year, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all made contact with the player's entourage to register their interest. But, following a fresh round of negotiations, Musiala wants to stay at the Allianz Arena.
Ian Wright recently named the playmaker as a signing that Arsenal should make. Speaking on his podcast 'Wrighty's House' earlier this month, the Gunners legend stressed the importance of welcoming a big name to the Emirates Stadium.
He said: "They need to do some unbelievable business in the summer, right, to make sure that these guys are not thinking, you know something, I’m not feeling this right now. I’m not feeling it right. You know the noise. I don’t know if he’ll come, I don’t know where he’s going, because obviously him and Jude [Bellingham] are big mates or whatever.
"But see someone like Musiala, that is the kind of player that when [Bukayo] Saka, Gabriel [Magalhães] or [William] Saliba’s here, Musiala, that’s who we’re linked with, those are the players that make people like them man take notice."
Despite links with a move to Arsenal, Musiala has previously described Chelsea as his 'family', sparking speculation of a move. In an interview with The Times in 2021, he said: "My friends [in England] made me feel welcome and comfortable. Chelsea and the FA are family for me, and I am sure, even when I am not there, I remain a member of the family."
Until the age of seven, Musiala lived in Germany, winning several tournaments as a junior with TSV Lehnerz. Then, a few years later, he and his family relocated to the south coast of England – though not for footballing reasons – where he would continue his development.
His mother, Carolin, enrolled in an Erasmus programme at the University of Southampton as part of a master's degree at Frankfurt's Goethe University. Musiala quickly caught the attention of Chelsea scouts; he enjoyed eight years at Cobham before deciding to return to his homeland to pen his first professional contract.
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