Bayern Munich ‘give up’ Hudson-Odoi chase — report

According to the Independent, Bayern Munich have “given up” their chase for Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi, at least for this summer, due to Chelsea’s “resolute” stance over keeping the 18-year-old Academy standout. They are of course not ruling out any potential future move, especially if Hudson-Odoi were to not sign the contract (ed.note: how do you say ‘wink wink nudge nudge’ in German?). Fortunately, Hudson-Odoi is supposedly getting closer to that signature. Maybe in the next 48 hours?

Bayern have been quite relentless in their efforts to sway Hudson-Odoi to their cause, starting last winter, when he was entering the last 18 months of his contract. They made three bids, reaching up to £35 million, all of them outright rejected by Chelsea. The club also reportedly rejected a transfer request from Hudson-Odoi himself, who apparently was convinced that the grass was greener in Bavaria. (And, in fairness, he had not been playing much at that point; his minutes at Chelsea only increased after the Bayern interest materialized.)

Unsurprisingly, Bayern returned this summer, beginning with a laughable £22.5 million offer to “test the waters”, but then reportedly ready to double that to £45 million, which would’ve been the most so far. But apparently they’ve given up on that idea, as first hinted at by a report from Munich-based newspaper Die Abendzeitung earlier this week, and now with today’s report from the Independent.

So, where does that leave us? Mostly in the same place as in the last few weeks. And as long as the contract remains unsigned, that will not change (Bayern would obviously be just fine if Hudson-Odoi ran his contract down and they could get him for free next summer).

Today’s report is good news, but it won’t be meaningful until Callum commits his future to the club.