Chelsea are reportedly ready to cash in on Callum Hudson-Odoi with Bayern Munich interested, while Hakim Ziyech is on Atletico Madrid’s radar.
According to a report from The Times, Bayern Munich have rekindled their interest in Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Blues open to the possibility of cashing in on the England international.
A product of the Chelsea youth academy, Hudson-Odoi broke into the first-team under Maurizio Sarri back in 2018 but hasn’t been able to nail down a starting berth at Stamford Bridge. However, his potential is unquestionable, which prompted Bayern Munich to make a play for his signing in 2019. But then-manager Frank Lampard was able to convince him to stay put at Stamford Bridge and sign a new deal.
Having done that, Hudson-Odoi has failed to deliver on the promise, though, with the England international spending more time on the bench than on the football field. He made 37 appearances across all competitions, although only ten of those were starts in the Premier League. The winger did manage a return of five goals and five assists.
Hudson-Odoi did get some game time in the early parts of Thomas Tuchel’s tenure, but as a wing-back and not in his usual position in attack where he has to compete with Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz for a starting berth.
With Bayern Munich, who had four offers rejected for him in 2019, now rekindling their interest in Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea would be open to the prospect of offloading him. Given that the Blues are eyeing a record-shattering move for Erling Haaland this summer, cashing in on players that are not a major part of the plans moving forward makes sense in order to help balance the books.
Hudson-Odoi still has three years left on his current contract with Chelsea. But given his current situation at the club, an exit seems a strong possibility in the upcoming transfer window.
Hakim Ziyech eyed by Atletico Madrid
Speaking of exits this summer, another Chelsea player who could be staring at an uncertain future is Hakim Ziyech. The Moroccan international, who arrived at Stamford Bridge only last summer, has emerged as a transfer target for newly crowned La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, according to a report from Spanish publication El Gol Digital.
Ziyech signed from AFC Ajax amid huge expectations but hasn’t been able to make the kind of impact that was expected. Even though the 28-year-old managed a tally of six goals and four assists from 39 matches in all competitions, which included a few important goals, he hasn’t done enough to nail down a starting berth under Tuchel.
Chelsea, as a result, could now decide to cash in on him this summer with a valuation of €40 million being mooted. While there has already been some interest in him from the likes of AC Milan and Napoli, Atletico Madrid also have emerged as potential suitors for the former AFC Ajax superstar now.
Although the La Liga champions are prioritising a move for Paulo Dybala, Diego Simeone’s side see Ziyech as a viable alternative for the Argentine international and are prepared to offer as much as €30 million for his services.
Whether Chelsea do indeed decide to cash in on the 28-year-old remains to be seen, though, considering that Ziyech did show glimpses of quality every now and then and can step up his displays with a regular run in the side.
