Chelsea try to turn off the Bayern tap

January 10 – Chelsea will report Bayern Munich to FIFA if they find evidence of an illegal approach for their rising star Callum Hudson-Odoi according to British media reports.

Bayern have reportedly made four bids for 18-year-old Hudson-Odoi, the latest being around £35 million.

Chelsea have been alarmed by Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirming that the German giants “absolutely want to sign” Hudson-Odoi this month.

“He is fast, good at dribbling, he would fit very well into our team,” said Salihamidzic when he addressed the media at a training camp in Qatar.

Chelsea are desperate to keep hold of Hudson-Odoi, who made a surprise start against Tottenham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday and was hugely impressive.

Hudson-Odoi’s contract expires in June 2020 and he has apparently been sounding out his Chelsea Berlin-born team-mate Antonio Rudiger. “He asked me about Germany,” said Rudiger. “I can advise him but at the end of the day he decides his future.”

In Germany the media poured scorn on Chelsea’s apparent stance accusing the club of hypocrisy given their own past conduct. They claim the London club has simply conjured up an accusation of “tapping up” – illegally approaching a player to discuss a transfer – and point out that while publicly endorsing a move is a violation of English Premier League rules, it does not break any FIFA regulations.

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