Bayern still trying for Hudson-Odoi, talks ‘entering the decisive phase’ — reports

How do you say “go away”, in German? And I don’t mean in a polite or kind way.

Bayern Munich are trying very hard once again to get Callum Hudson-Odoi to join them, after failing to do so 18 and 12 months ago already. Is it time to issue a hands-off warning yet?

For some reason this time they think they might even be able to do that just with a loan, which may or may not have a buy option/obligation attached to it. At least before they had the common decency to attach a number to their overtures.

German media and tabloids — it’s hard to tell where the line is for them sometimes — continue to push the story, at ever increasing frequency as we enter the final few days of the transfer window. Bild now claim that the situation is “entering the decisive phase”, but which they will undoubtedly declare not decisive if Chelsea just tell Bayern to go away for the millionth time.

Others have gone as far as to claim that an agreement “in principle” is in place, as unlikely as that sounds.

That situation is more or less confirmed by the reports closer to home, such as Nizaar Kinsella of Goal, who says that “talks are a long way from being agreed in principle”, which doesn’t exactly confirm that Chelsea will hold the line on Callum, but should be enough in the end unless Hudson-Odoi himself starts making waves.

Bayern are clearly hoping for that, but so far, there’s been no sign of the 19-year-old doing anything as drastic as 18 months ago, when he submitted a transfer request. He’s since signed a new long-term contract and while last season wasn’t great (thanks in large part to the Achilles injury), he’s set for a big role in the team (if he can continue performing like in the last couple games).

Just a few more days of this transfer nonsense and then we can worry about just the football again.