Bayern Munich reportedly about to sign Jann-Fiete Arp

Bayern Munich may be about to make the next move in the club’s ongoing quest to get young, gifted, and German. According to an exclusive by Fussballtransfers, the crown jewel of Hamburg’s youth, Jann-Fiete Arp, is about to transfer to Bayern Munich.

Fussballtransfers claims to have learned from a source “close to the new club leadership” that Hamburg believe that the youngster will move to Munich this summer. Since Arp’s contract with Hamburg expires in 2019, a sale this year will be relegation-bound Hamburg’s last chance to make a profit off the precocious center forward.

Bayern allegedly intend to loan Arp out after signing him to ensure that he receives sufficient playing time—potentially even back to Hamburg, which will presumably play in the 2. Liga next year. But other ambitious Bundesliga teams will undoubtedly come calling, and a destination in the top flight seems more likely.

Arp has scored two goals for Hamburg in 16 appearances. If that sounds unimpressive, it should be borne in mind that Hamburg’s leading goal-scorer, Filip Kostic, has only four (and Robert Lewandowski four more than the entire team: 23 vs 19). Hamburg’s weakness notwithstanding, Arp is one of the most promising striker prospects in the world: he dazzled at the U17 World Cup in India, scoring five goals in four games, and scored 26 goals in 21 games with Hamburg’s U17 team.