'Hudson-Odoi is a player we want to sign', says Bayern chief
Chelsea is facing a fight to keep hold of young winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is being targeted by Bayern Munich.
Published : Jan 09, 2019 18:04 IST
Chelsea's fight to keep hold of Callum Hudson-Odoi gets tougher as Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic says the teenage winger is a player the club "absolutely wants to sign".
Hudson-Odoi has started Chelsea's last two games but is reportedly keen to leave Stamford Bridge to further his burgeoning career. Bayern is believed to have met Chelsea's asking price of £35 million and, with the 18-year-old unwilling to discuss a new contract, a move is starting to inevitable during the January transfer window.
Salihamidzic told reporters during Bayern's winter training camp in Doha: "He's a very interesting player that we absolutely want to sign.
"He has qualities that suit our game. He's a strong dribbler, fast, and carries a goal threat."
Bayern is on the look-out for wingers with Arjen Robben confirming he will leave at the end of the season and Salihamidzic admitting on Wednesday "it's probably going to be Franck [Ribery's] last year".
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Hudson-Odoi would certainly fill one of those voids and, if he does move, would continue the trend of young English players thriving in the Bundesliga. Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson, former England Under-17 team-mates of Hudson-Odoi, have made a huge impression this season at Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim respectively.
Speaking after Tuesday's first-leg defeat to Tottenham in the EFL Cup semi-finals, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri insisted Hudson-Odoi had not been distracted by the speculation.