Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to reject Chelsea’s bumper offer of £85,000-a-week and hold out for a move to Bayern Munich, according to reports.
The 18-year-old, who has made 13 first-team appearances but is yet to start a Premier League game, has been the subject of a £35m bid by the Bundesliga giants.
Chelsea were hopeful their latest offer would result in the winger changing his mind, but Hudson-Odoi and his representatives have indicated that money would not be the defining factor in whether he pledged his long-term future to the club or not.
Bayern have made clear their admiration for the winger, with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic revealing the German club “really want to sign him”.
The Mail on Sunday claim that such is Bayern’s belief in the youngster they would give the No 10 shirt to Hudson-Odoi when Arjen Robben’s decade-long association with the club ends in May.
Chelsea have made it clear they want to keep of hold the teenager, but Hudson-Odoi very much remains a squad player under Maurizio Sarri.
Hudson Odoi’s current deal runs out in 2020, thus his value will drop dramatically on February 1 when he would only be worth around £10m – with just one year left on his contract.
If the Blues refuse to let him move on in this January window, it is expected Hudson-Odoi is content on waiting until the summer and clinching a move to the Bundesliga.
In other news, Chelsea are set to complete the loan signing of Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus in the next 48 hours.
It is understood the Blues are hopeful that they can get a deal over the line before Wednesday, in order for him to be registered for Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg decider against Tottenham.