Bayern Munich is in hot pursuit of Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi, and the German giants came a step closer to signing him on Tuesday.
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According to The Guardian, Bayern has made a fourth bid to sign Hudson-Odoi, this time proposing a $45.6 million transfer fee. The 18-year-old winger has reportedly told Chelsea he wants to leave the club, after struggling to break into the first team and seeing England youth national team teammates Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson succeed at a young age in Germany. It’s believed that the $45.6 million transfer fee is Chelsea’s valuation for Hudson-Odoi, though it’s unclear if they’ll agree.
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has pleaded publicly for Hudson-Odoi to stay, but a large transfer fee and likely large wage increase will be tough to oppose, especially with the club spending big to sign another attacking player in Christian Pulisic. Hudson-Odoi has made just one Premier League appearance this season, though he has featured four times this season in the UEFA Europa League, scoring once.
Here are more transfer rumors from around Europe:
Fabregas move to Monaco on hold
Cesc Fabregas is reportedly on his way to play for his former teammate, Thierry Henry, at Monaco, but Chelsea hasn’t yet signed off on the transfer.
The Spanish midfielder is still under contract at Stamford Bridge and according to reports in England, Chelsea won’t let him leave until a replacement is signed. That’s left Fabregas in limbo, after essentially saying good-bye to the fans in Chelsea’s 2-0 FA Cup win last Saturday against Nottingham Forest.
Fabregas has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with Monaco, ending a second stint in England after seven seasons in Arsenal’s first team.
Barcelona reach agreement to sign Todibo
One of the top young defenders in Europe is heading to Barcelona.
FC Barcelona announced on Tuesday it had reached a deal to sign Jean-Claire Todibo on a free transfer this summer from Toulouse, when his contract runs out. The 19-year-old, entering the final year of his deal, impressed in September and October, but after declining to sign an extension at his Ligue 1 club, Todibo was relegated to the reserves, and may spend the rest of the season on the sidelines as a sort of punishment.
Agreement with Jean-Clair Todibo (@jctodibo) for him to join the Club next season. 🔵🔴https://t.co/L1Ejgvhg1f
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 8, 2019
Todibo made 10 starts in all this fall and Barcelona reportedly beat out Manchester City and Juventus for his signiture. Former French international Eric Abidal reportedly played a big role in getting Todibo to sign with Barcelona. The youngster could be part of a long-term replacement for Gerard Pique, who turns 32-years old this year.