Veteran Dutch winger Arjen Robben has urged Callum Hudson-Odoi to take up the opportunity to join Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich are working hard to secure a few transfer moves in January to avoid competition from other top clubs in the summer. Callum Hudson-Odoi is the prime target for the German champions, who have made multiple bids for the youngster. Chelsea are reluctant to lose their youth product without putting up a fight, though, and they continue to persuade Hudson-Odoi to sign a new contract.
Hasan Salihamidzic publicly admitted this week that Bayern are very interested in the 18-year-old. Arjen Robben has now given his thoughts about his club’s pursuit of Hudson-Odoi. Speaking to Bein Sport (via Goal), Robben insisted that this transfer is a golden opportunity for the teenager to go a level up in his career.
"“He is one of the best [young players] in Europe. You are better off getting your chance [at Bayern] and if you get that chance then you have to take it.“For young players, it’s always the same. First, you have to take the big step to achieve it. Become a professional football player at the highest level, get into the first team, get your place. Don’t just be happy when you achieve something little or small.”"
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Hudson-Odoi is tipped to be Robben’s successor at Bayern. The Dutchman has already announced his plans of leaving the club at the end of the season and has been linked with both Inter Milan and PSV Eindhoven as he continues to ponder over the next move in his career. Hudson-Odoi will be able to learn much from Robben in the next six months if the Bavarians complete the transfer this month.
Maurizio Sarri, meanwhile, slammed Bayern for the “unprofessional” way they have approached this transfer. The Italian manager believes it was unethical from Bayern to speak publicly about their interest in Hudson-Odoi. There are reports in England suggesting that Chelsea might report Bayern for tapping up their player without their permission.
Bayern have always been vocal about the players that interest them, though. They are also usually the first to deny any reports falsely linking them with various big name players and are usually very efficient in their ways of signing players for low fees. It will be a massive surprise if Bayern face any consequences for their approach to Hudson-Odoi.
Chelsea are currently on the weaker side of negotiations in this deal, as Hudson-Odoi has reportedly set his heart on moving to Bavaria. If the German club fails to agree a fee right now, then they will be able to sign the teenager on a smaller fee in the summer when there will be only 12 months left on his contract. Bayern Munich have made their move and matched Chelsea’s evaluation. It is just a matter of when rather than if Hudson-Odoi joins Die Roten.