Update: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund battle for Southampton center-back Armel Bella-Kotchap; loan fee revealed

Update (6:40 PM EST): Loan fee revealed

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both remain in pursuit of Southampton German defender Armel Bella-Kotchap. Per Sport1 journalist Patrick Berger, via @iMiaSanMia, the recently-relegated English club want a €3.5m loan fee from the Bavarians, whose pricey pursuit of Fulham midfielder Palhinha is leaving them with little maneuvering room for a defender this late in the transfer window.

It looks like one of the two German clubs will end up with the 21-year-old.

Oh, you thought this would be a calm transfer deadline period?

Think again. Bayern Munich is in the middle of a whirlwind of wheeling and dealing. The latest has the Bavarians closing in on a talented German defender currently in the Premier League: Southampton center-back Armel Bella-Kotchap.

The news comes as Bayern’s last-minute pursuit of Chelsea FC defender Trevoh Chalobah looks to be falling apart over apparent disagreement between the clubs on whether the move should be a loan or a permanent transfer.

Via Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg:

⚠️ FC Bayern NOW back in the race for Bella-Kotchap as Chalobah is close to be off - as reported!

Bayern now in contact again with Southampton!

Bella-Kotchap, 21, made the cut for Hansi Flick’s Germany squad for the FIFA 2022 Men’s World Cup. He would help cover Benjamin Pavard’s departure to Inter Milan, but would join a crowded center-back room that includes Matthijs de Ligt, Dayot Upamecano, and new arrival Kim Min-jae.

Borussia Dortmund had been rumored to be closing in on Bella-Kotchap, but the Black and Yellows are on the verge of signing Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug instead.