The Bundesliga’s raid on Premier League talent continues
Bayern Munich have submitted an improved bid of €33m for Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi after their initial bid of £20 was rejected.
Chelsea have reportedly told Bayern that they value the £18-year-old at £40m, but Bayern have not yet reached their asking price.
Bayern Munich have improved their bid for Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi to €33m. #FCBayern #CFC
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) January 2, 2019
Hudson-Odoi scored his first goal for Chelsea this season in a Europa League tie against PAOK at Stamford Bridge, and has impressed when given the chance with his silky dribbling and explosive pace.
There is an eagerness among Chelsea fans to see the teenager given more chances in the first team, but with Willian, Pedro, Eden Hazard and soon Christian Pulisic, to compete with, he may have to venture abroad for first team football, as several other Englishman have in recent months.
Chelsea today announced the signing of Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund, which doesn’t bode well for Hudson-Odoi’s first team chances, and represents a deep flaw in Chelsea’s approach to developing youth.
Hudson-Odoi played a key role in England’s 2017 U17 World Cup victory, appearing in all nine matches and setting up three goals in the 5-2 victory over Spain in the final.
He has also developed something of a cult following in Germany, according to journalist Rafa Honigstein.
“There’s been a lot of clubs interested in him, and he’s made so much progress,” Honigstein said.
“His stock has risen to the point where he’s gone from Borussia Monchengladbach to Dortmund, to right at the top now where Bayern are interested in him.
“It’s the (Jadon) Sancho effect – everyone thinks they can get the next Sancho, and I also think from his point of view, he thinks he can be the next Sancho, doing what Sancho’s done going to the Bundesliga.”
If he does make the move to Bayern, he will follow in the footsteps of Sancho, Reiss Nelson and Ademola Lookman, all of whom joined Bundesliga clubs in search of first team football and reaped the benefits.
Former Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke also looks set for a move to Germany after negotiations with Crystal Palace fell through.
