Bayern sporting director publicly taps up Callum Hudson-Odoi

Bayern Munich are used to having it their way, poaching the best talents from up and down the Bundesliga at will and without much resistance. (It’s actually surprising that they were forced to pay the release clause for World Cup hero Benjamin Pavard instead of agreeing something well short of the €35m now due to VfB Stuttgart in the summer.)

This attitude of superiority is the only way to explain comments from sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić in a scenario where most others would only say that, respectfully, they do not talk about players from other clubs. (Chelsea assistant Gianfranco Zola broke this unwritten rule recently as well with regards to Callum Wilson and had developed a sudden “illness” the next time it was his turn to take the microphone in a press conference — Carlo Cudicini deputized instead!)

In any case, here’s “Brazzo” publicly tapping up Callum Hudson-Odoi during the press conference announcing the Pavard transfer.

Which auto-translates to (with minor edits):

“He’s a very interesting player whom we absolutely want to sign. He has qualities that suit our game. He’s a strong dribbler, fast, has a good move to goal.”

-Hasan Salihamidžić

Reports earlier on Tuesday, before Hudson-Odoi got the start and played 80 minutes against Spurs in the League Cup semifinal first leg, claimed that Bayern had submitted a fourth bid for the 18-year-old, apparently meeting Chelsea’s “valuation” at £35m (without a buyback clause). Some reports have gone even beyond that, claiming that Chelsea have already accepted it, too.

Whatever the actual truth of the situation may be, there’s little we can do at this point. The past is the past, and that’s what’s gotten us into this latest youth development pickle. It’s now up to Hudson-Odoi to make the decision, and choose between Chelsea’s and Bayern’s promises.