With the start of La Liga just days away, {statorium_team tid=23 text="Barcelona"} head coach Hansi Flick is stepping up his efforts to bolster his squad's attacking options. Despite initial interest in {statorium_team tid=40 text="Athletic Bilbao's"} {statorium_player pid=23468 text="Nico Williams"}, whose transfer has stalled, Flick has now set his sights on {statorium_team tid=47 text="Bayern Munich's"} {statorium_player pid=1401 text="Kingsley Coman"} and free agent {statorium_player pid=3477 text="Ivan Perisic"}. Reports from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo and Croatian publication 24sata confirm Flick's intent to bring in new wingers before the season opener.
Coman in high demand, Perisic on the radar
Barcelona faces stiff competition from Premier League clubs {statorium_team tid=9 text="Arsenal"} and {statorium_team tid=2 text="Tottenham"} in their pursuit of Coman. However, with {statorium_team tid=66 text="Paris Saint-Germain"} reportedly dropping out of the race for the French winger, Flick sees an opportunity to reunite with the 28-year-old at the Camp Nou. Bayern Munich has expressed a willingness to loan or even sell Coman, giving Barcelona a realistic chance to secure the deal.
Coman, who has been a key player for both club and country, is a versatile attacker capable of playing on either wing. Flick, who previously managed Coman during his successful tenure at Bayern Munich, is confident that a move to La Liga would be beneficial for both the player and Barcelona. With his dynamic style of play, Coman could be the perfect fit for the Catalan giants as they aim to strengthen their attack.
Perisic free to move after Hajduk Split exit
Meanwhile, Ivan Perisic has also emerged as a viable option for Barcelona. The 35-year-old Croatian winger recently became a free agent after parting ways with {statorium_team tid=2144 text="Hajduk Split"}, just months after joining the Croatian side. Disagreements with head coach Gennaro Gattuso, coupled with Perisic being benched during a match against Lokomotiv Zagreb, led to an irreparable breakdown in their relationship, culminating in a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.
Perisic has a strong relationship with Flick, having played under him during their time at Bayern Munich. One of their most memorable moments came during the 2019-20 Champions League season when Bayern thrashed Barcelona 8-2, with Perisic scoring in the rout. Now, Flick is keen to reunite with the Croatian veteran, who has experience in the Bundesliga, Serie A, and Premier League but has yet to test himself in La Liga.
Perisic is reportedly open to joining Barcelona, even in a squad rotation role. His experience and versatility could provide Flick with much-needed depth on the wings as Barcelona looks to challenge for domestic and European honors.