Bayern Munich have confirmed they are in talks to agree a deal for Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The Germans have made no secret of their desire to sign the talented 18-year-old, much to the annoyance of Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.
“I think that it’s not professional, because they are talking about a player under contract with Chelsea. So they didn’t respect our club,” he said.
Sarri insists Chelsea want to keep Hudson-Odoi, but Bayern are continuing their pursuit.
And Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has told BILD he is in discussions with the Premier League club over a deal.
“We want to sign the player,” he said. “I am fully convinced of his abilities; we are in talks with Chelsea.
“Both [Benjamin Pavard and Hudson-Odoi] are not finished players yet, but we have many leaders in our team, that’s why it would not be a problem if no player came in the transfer window.
“We have to find a good mix between young talents and experienced leadership players.”
Bayern most recently tabled an offer of £35m, which was rejected by Chelsea and Hudson-Odoi has refused to discuss a new contract, having been offered a five-year deal last summer to remain at Stamford Bridge.
If Hudson-Odoi was to make the move to Germany he would become the latest English talent to head to the Bundesliga, with Jadon Sancho starring at Dortmund and Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson on loan at Hoffenheim.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are seeking to sell Michy Batshuayi on a permanent deal, rather than loan out the striker, according to Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev.
Batshuayi, who scored the decisive goal in Chelsea’s 2016-17 title win under Antonio Conte, spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund and the first half of this campaign at Valencia.
The Spanish side want to cut short the loan and Monaco boss Thierry Henry has expressed an interest after working with Batshuayi for Belgium. However, there is work to do for the move to materialise.
Speaking at the unveiling of former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Monaco chief Vasilyev said: “We have an agreement with the player and with Valencia, but not with Chelsea.
“They would rather have a (permanent) transfer.”