MUNICH: Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is close to joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, with talks in the final stages, the German champions said on Friday ahead of Saturday’s German SuperCup at VfB Stuttgart.

They said, however, there was no development in the ongoing transfer saga of Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade.

The 29-year-old Coman, a 2022 World Cup finalist with France, has been at Bayern for a decade, having won a slew of domestic and international titles, including the Champions League and the Club World Cup.

“There are still final talks pending, so it is not a done deal just yet,” Bayern sports director Christoph Freund told a press conference. “But should it go ahead, then he was here 10 years, he won many titles, and was a super person.”

For coach Vincent Kompany, Coman’s imminent departure may be emotional, coming shortly after club talisman Thomas Muller’s move to the Major League Soccer (MLS) side Vancouver Whitecaps after 25 years at Bayern, but his team was focused on the season start.

“I think that King [Coman] showed over the years at Bayern what player he was. When such a successful player leaves the club, it is always emotional,” Kompany said.

“I think for me it is important to look ahead, show respect for Kingsley Coman and for what he achieved for the club. But my feeling is the lads who are here are the priority, and they have to work towards success.”

There was no change, however, in the status of 23-year-old Germany international Woltemade with Stuttgart having rejected the latest Bayern bid for the talented forward, who wants to join the German champions.

“There has been so much talk about it, about deadlines, figures and so on,” Freund said. “We have never commented on the matter. There is nothing new. On Satiurday he is playing for Stuttgart where he is under contract and it does not make sense to restart any speculation.”

The Bundesliga season starts next Friday with Bayern hosting RB Leipzig.

LEIPZIG SIGN STRIKER ROMULO

Meanwhile on Friday, Leipzig announced the signing of Brazilian striker Romulo from Turkish side Goztepe to replace Benjamin Sesko, who has left for Manchester United.

Romulo, 23, has signed until 2030 for a reported fee of 25 million euros ($29.2 million) including bonuses.

Leipzig badly needed a forward after Sesko’s big-money move to United.

The Slovenian, 22, reportedly cost United 85 million euros.

Romulo scored 13 times and laid on nine assists in 29 league matches last campaign.

Leipzig finished seventh last season, missing out on European football for the first time in the Bundesliga top flight, and have undergone a rebuild in Jurgen Klopp’s first off-season as Red Bull’s global head of football.

The club have signed several promising youngsters ahead of next weekend’s Bundesliga kickoff, including winger Johan Bakayoko and midfielder Arthur Verme­eren. They also have a new manager, Ole Werner.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2025