Arsenal are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman before the summer transfer window closes.
Mikel Arteta is believed to be keen to sign a new attacker before Friday's deadline and has been tipped to recruit a new centre-forward to provide competition for Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
The likes of Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Brentford's Ivan Toney and Brighton & Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson have all been linked with a big-money switch to the Emirates Stadium, but a move for any of these players is yet to materialise.
Arsenal could instead turn their attention to strengthening their options in wide attacking areas and one name who is believed to be of interest is France international Coman.
According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners are eyeing up a last-minute move for the 28-year-old and have explored a swoop for the Bayern Munich man ahead of the deadline.
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Arsenal to move for Coman if Nelson leaves?
Arsenal's current wide options include Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, while the future of Reiss Nelson is thought to be uncertain and he could leave either on loan or permanently.
Nelson is regarded as a peripheral figure in Arteta's first-team squad and the 24-year-old has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs including West Ham United and Fulham.
His potential departure would presumably intensify Arsenal's pursuit of a new wide player such as Coman, who is allegedly ready for a new challenge in the prime years of his career and is expected to leave Bayern Munich before the transfer window closes.
Coman has recently been linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, with some reports claiming that he has accepted an offer to join the Middle Eastern giants.
However, the winger's agent Christian Emile has since publicly denied those rumours, telling journalist Fabrizio Romano: "It's not true. Kingsley has not accepted any bid at this stage."
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Coman to leave Bayern after almost a decade in Germany?
Coman has spent the last nine years with Bayern Munich, initially joining on a two-year loan deal from Juventus before making his move to the Allianz Arena permanent in 2017.
The winger has scored 64 goals and provided 66 assists in 296 appearances for the German giants across all competitions and has won a total of 19 trophies, including eight Bundesliga titles.
Coman was hampered with injury issues during the second half of last season, but he still managed to start 21 of his 27 appearances under former head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Vincent Kompany has since taken the reins at Bayern and it is thought that the £50m arrival of winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace could have an impact on Coman's first-team minutes.
Indeed, Olise, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane and Mathys Tel are all competing for starts out wide along with Coman, who still has three year remaining on his contract at the Allianz Arena.
Oliver Thomas
