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Even as the threat of a financial meltdown looms large, 1860 Munich appears ready to unveil an eye-catching new signing.

The son of legendary musician Phil Collins, Mathew Collins, is reportedly set to join 1860 Munich. However, with the club’s ongoing financial troubles, it remains to be seen which division the young player will feature in.

Back in May, in the small Austrian town of Wattens, spectators attending the regional league clash between WSG Tirol Juniors and SV Fügen were taken aback when music icon Phil Collins was spotted in the stands. The 75-year-old former Genesis drummer had travelled to watch his son Mathew in action.

Phil Collins might soon have another reason to visit Germany, as his son is poised to bring some star appeal to Munich’s Grünwalder Stadium. Mathew Collins, who hails from England, is expected to join TSV 1860 Munich. However, it remains unclear at what level the 21-year-old will compete, as the 1966 Bundesliga champions face the possibility of relegation to the Regionalliga.

The club has until Wednesday to demonstrate its financial stability by producing €2.7 million. It is uncertain whether investor Hasan Ismaik—who continues to have a strained relationship with club president Gernot Mang—will once again step in to fill the gap. Should Ismaik decline, the historic Munich outfit could find itself in the fourth division for the second time since 2017.

Currently, only eight players from the existing squad are contracted for the Regionalliga, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future. Nevertheless, according to reports from Bild, Mathew Collins, a midfielder currently with Austrian second-tier side Austria Salzburg, is expected to join regardless. He has already completed a trial with the team in Giesing.

Mathew Collins has previously played for Astoria Walldorf and Hannover 96 during his time in Germany.

His father recognized early on that Mathew was determined to follow his own path. “Matt enjoys music, but his real passion is football. He’s confident he’ll make it as a professional,” Phil Collins once said.

Born in Geneva, Mathew moved from Miami Beach to a football academy in Évian, France, at the age of 14 to pursue his dream. By 16, he was already playing in Germany for Astoria Walldorf and later for Hannover 96. Now, a move to Munich could be the next step in his journey.

For the Lions, however, immediate financial survival takes precedence. The club, celebrating 60 years since its last league title, recently honoured its former stars. Club president Gernot Mang reiterated their ambitions, saying, “We don’t belong in the third division permanently, and we certainly don’t belong in the fourth.”