Brazzo addresses Callum Hudson-Odoi rumors, while Chelsea could be losing hope

Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić had a couple of key items to discuss with the press in Doha today. As part of his press conference that included the announcement that VfB Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard will join Bayern in July, Salihamidžić also took time to directly address the speculation surrounding Bayern’s pursuit of Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi (Daily Mail).

If I have something to announce, I’ll do so. What I can say: we like the player and take a great interest in signing him. We’ll see about the rest.

Salihamidžić didn’t pull any punches over the club’s desire to bring in the 18-year old English winger. He told the press (Kicker),

He’s a very interesting player who we really want to sign. He has qualities that fit our playing style. He’s strong on the dribble, tricky, has a good nose for goal, and is a young player who has a lot of potential to develop. Hudson-Odoi is a player who’ll fit us very well.

When asked about the rising cost associated with a potential transfer for Hudson-Odoi, Salihamidžić indicated that the market conditions drive the price for talent (Daily Mail):

That’s the state of the transfer market. We must identify those players which can improve us. Callum has unbelievable qualities in the dribbling, he has the pace and skills. We want to sign him.

There was no indication on a timetable or what stage any discussions are in between the two clubs and the player.

Meanwhile in England, Daily Telegraph writer Matt Law thinks that Chelsea is facing the reality that it might not be able to retain the talented winger.

Chelsea fear they are fighting a losing battle in their bid to keep Callum Hudson-Odoi, despite the winger being handed a surprise start in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg against Tottenham Hotspur.

In what may prove to be a final roll of the dice in Chelsea’s efforts to show the 18-year-old how highly they rate him, Hudson-Odoi started ahead of Pedro after Bayern Munich had indicated a willingness to make him the most expensive English teenager.

Chelsea’s preference would be to turn down Bayern’s offer and secure Hudson-Odoi to a new contract, but the youngster’s representatives have shown no willingness to negotiate in recent weeks and there is concern that his head has already been turned.

Whatever happens with Hudson-Odoi, it sounds like both clubs are resigned to a decision being made soon.