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Bayern Munich are about to sign Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Michael Cuisance. The French 20-year-old is a highly rated youngster and has been linked with the Bavarians before. According to both Sky Sports and Kicker, a permanent deal is imminent.
Cuisance played mainly as a central midfielder for the Foals last season, registering 3 assists in 1,400 Bundesliga minutes according to (transfermarkt). If the reports are true, then this could be Bayern’s alternative to Espanyol midfielder Marc Roca, whom the club allegedly views as “too expensive” on account of the Spaniard’s €40m release clause.
Sky failed to mention a transfer fee in their report, but Kicker speculates that it will be in the high single digits or low double digits in millions — hence far below €40m. If the deal goes through, it could also cool Bayern’s interest in Barcelona attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho. With Cuisance’s arrival, the club would be left with a total of 5 midfielders (Thiago Alcantara, Corentin Tolisso, Renato Sanches, Leon Goretzka, and Javi Martinez), and it’s unlikely that the Bavarians would want to add the Brazilian to the logjam.
Cuisance is a versatile central midfielder who was a regular two seasons ago when he first joined Gladbach from Nancy, but he played in only eleven games last season, starting just one. This season, Cuisance wanted a guarantee of playing time from Gladbach, which the club naturally declined to give him. Now he will seemingly try his luck at Bayern.
We’ll keep you updated as more details come in.
Update: Bayern confirm signing Cusiance
Following FC Bayern’s 2-2 draw to Hertha BBC to begin the 2019-2020 Bundesliga, Bayern has officially announced the signing of Cuisance:
We are also delighted to announce the imminent signing of Mickaël Cuisance from @borussia_en. pic.twitter.com/SzXoSZU04V
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 16, 2019
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic stated after the game that Cuisance would be a Bayern player and could “develop with us.”
#Salihamidzic bestätigt Kauf (nicht Leihe) von Gladbachs Michael #Cuisance: "Der Spieler kann sich bei uns entwickeln."
— Patrick Strasser (@AZ_Strasser) August 16, 2019
Perisic, Coutinho, Cuisance - Transferoffensive des #FCBayern jetzt auf Hochtouren.
Given Renato Sanches’ well-documented displeasure with Bayern and the club’s crowded midfield, this is an intriguing move but one will still at least add depth.