MUNICH, Germany - Bayern Munich new signing Corentin Tolisso began his
first official day of training on Monday and said he had come to
establish his place in the first team.
"I am here to play, I want to play," the 22-year-old midfielder said. "The competition is strong but I will be doing my best so that I play
and make progress."
German champions Bayern paid a league record 41.5 million euros
(47.25 million dollars) to Olympique Lyonnais for Tolisso, who has signed a
contract until 2022.
"I want to show those in charge that they were justified in
transferring that money," Tolisso said.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said he was convinced Tolisso
"has the quality to play an important role for us in midfield."
Bayern had been following Tolisso, who made his debut for France in
March, for a long time, Rummenigge said. He is a fast, hard-running
player and a good tackler who can play in either defensive or
attacking midfield, he said.
Meanwhile, fellow new signing Serge Gnaby wants to leave the Bundesliga champions and play elsewhere on loan for a year, Rummenigge said.
The German under-21 European champion Gnabry joined Munich from Werder Bremen but could see little playing time in a strong squad. He was to join Munich training later in the month.
"I can confirm that the player and his adviser are toying with the idea of a one-year loan and then returning to Bayern," Rummenigge added.
He said the club leadership is yet to decide whether the grant the request of the 22-year-old, saying: "We will analyse the situation, including what we will do on the transfer market."