West Ham want to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso
West Ham are in the hunt to sign Bayern Munich central midfielder Corentin Tolisso, according to German news outlet Sport1.
The 26-year-old France international, who won the World Cup in 2018 and played for his nation at Euro 2020 this summer, is on West Ham’s radar with his contract due to expire in less than 12 months.
Sport1 spoke to Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann on the weekend, who confirmed that the box-to-box midfielder’s absence from Bavaria at the moment is because he is stuck in France with coronavirus.
However, Nagelsmann also said: “Everyone knows the contractual situation. I don’t need to say anything new. I have a hard time assuming that he will come back to us soon and be part of this team if he is healthy.”
It is reported that Bayern can “hardly afford to sell” Tolisso at the moment, with limited options in midfield, but that “if the player wants to leave, then the dilemma for Bayern will be even bigger”.
High-calibre
Tolisso broke the Bundesliga transfer record when he moved from Lyon to Bayern £35.5million in 2017 [Guardian].
He’s a top-quality player who would offer genuine European experience to the Irons with 28 France caps and numerous outings in the Champions League.
However, his appearance totals in the last few years make for worrying reading, and there have to be question marks over his injury record.
He made just four appearances in the 2018/19 campaign, while the only season he has played more than 16 Bundesliga games was his first at the club.
That, allied to his 2022 contract expiry, could help West Ham land him on a cut-price deal, and it could be a tempting prospect.
However, it would have to come with big insurances, and the club must guard against offering a lucrative salary to a player who cannot guarantee a substantial amount of games in a season.
In other West Ham United news, Hammers talks for major transfer to hot up on Monday – ExWHUemployee
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