Chelsea have reportedly knocked back a loan offer by Bayern Munich for Callum Hudson-Odoi, with the bid also including a £70 million option to buy the Englishman.
According to a report by the reliable Nizaar Kinsella for Goal, Chelsea have rejected a bid by Bayern Munich to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 season. The loan offer also included an option to buy the 19-year-old and are even willing to insert an obligation clause.
Hudson-Odoi has been touted to be one of the brightest young players to have emerged out of the Chelsea academy in recent years. The teenager, though, has not been hauled off as part of the Loan Army and has instead been integrated in the first-team setup straightaway, under Maurizio Sarri.
? “Hudson-Odoi is one of the biggest talents in this position”
Bayern Munich REALLY want to sign the Chelsea youngster ? pic.twitter.com/rk2TrrP5mw
— Goal (@goal) October 4, 2020
However, the young winger found minutes hard to come by in 2018/19 and was subsequently linked with a move away from Bayern Munich. Chelsea, though, ended up keeping hold of Hudson-Odoi, who was touted to be a part of Frank Lampard’s plans for last season. But, a similar pattern ensued in 2019/20 as well, with Christian Pulisic and Willian being the first-choice wingers.
At the start of the current campaign, Hudson-Odoi has only gradually forced his way into a regular role, even impressing in Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace. Having said that, a lack of minutes has piqued the interest of Bayern Munich yet again, especially considering the return of Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech from injuries could put the Englishman in a spot of bother.
The Bundesliga and European champions have already bolstered their attack this summer by signing Leroy Sane. However, having decided not to secure the services of Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho on permanent deals, Bayern still need another winger, with Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman the only other options at the disposal of Hansi Flick.
?"I want Hudson-Odoi in my squad"
Frank Lampard seems to want Callum Hudson-Odoi in his Chelsea squad this season amidst interest from Bayern Munich pic.twitter.com/OsS6Ao5T6u
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 3, 2020
As a result, the interest in Hudson-Odoi makes sense. And, Bayern Munich have been eager to sign the 19-year-old on an initial loan deal for the rest of the season. Die Roten even added the option to buy the player for £70 million from Chelsea next summer as part of the deal.
However, after Frank Lampard iterated that Hudson-Odoi is in his plans for the season, Chelsea have gone on to turn down Bayern Munich’s offer. The report claims that the German giants are even willing to insert an obligation option.
But, for all intents and purposes, it looks like Chelsea will keep hold of Hudson-Odoi, who will not force a move away from Stamford Bridge either. So, despite confirming their interest in the teenage prodigy, it seems as if Bayern Munich could miss out on him, even though they offered a lucrative £70 million purchase option as well.
