Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer over the last few months.
German journalist Christian Falk has now reported that Chelsea are likely to miss out on Konrad Laimer. And the 25-year-old Austrian international has decided to join Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Laimer has been a key player for RB Leipzig over the last few seasons, and he has established himself as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the Bundesliga. So it hardly came as a surprise that he emerged on the radar of Chelsea.
The 25-year-old could have been the ideal long-term replacement for N’Golo Kante, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. The Frenchman’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Chelsea have not been able to tie him down to a new contract.
The 25-year-old Austrian midfielder would have been an impressive acquisition for the west Londoners. And it will be interesting to see who they bring in to replace Kante now. The Frenchman has been a key player for Chelsea, and Graham Potter will have to replace him adequately.
Meanwhile, Chelsea were not the only Premier League club linked with a move for Laimer, and he was on the radar of Premier League giants Liverpool as well. The Reds need to add more depth to the defensive midfield position, and Laimer would have competed with Fabinho for the starting berth next season.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool need to improve their midfield options, and Laimer would have been a superb acquisition on a free transfer. Recent reports claimed that he was open to joining a Premier League club. But the 25-year-old wants to join Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
The player’s move to Bayern Munich has not been completed yet, and it will be interesting to see if Chelsea and Liverpool decide to swoop in and hijack his move to Bavaria over the next few weeks.
Bayern Munich are the biggest club in Germany, and the opportunity to join them is an attractive proposition for most Bundesliga players. It is hardly a surprise that the 25-year-old has chosen to continue in his comfort zone and join the biggest club in the country. The German champions already have Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, and the arrival of Laimer will only improve them further.
