Bayern will resume Hudson-Odoi pursuit, Rummenigge confirms

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed Bayern Munich still want to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea.

Bayern’s pursuit of the teenager saw the Premier League side reject a series of bids during the January transfer window as sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic failed to complete a deal.

Maurizio Sarri said the Blues board assured him Hudson-Odoi would not be sold in January and criticised Bayern’s approach for the attacker.

But Bayern’s executive board chairman Rummenigge indicated Hudson-Odoi will again be a top target for the Bundesliga champions when the window re-opens.

“I guess Hasan is a bit like [Bayern president] Uli [Hoeness],” Rummenigge told Goal and Spox.

“We also had transfers in the past that didn’t work at the first attempt but at the second. And that’s what we will work on now.

“To lay down a marker costs money. We want the best quality players here at Bayern and Hasan is absolutely convinced of that player.”

Jumppic.twitter.com/8aFRd7nnaI

— Callum Hudson-Odoi (@Calteck10) January 17, 2019

Bayern are expected to lose veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery at the end of the season.

But with Alphonso Davies already on board and Benjamin Pavard set to join from Stuttgart for 2019-20, Rummenigge feels Bayern are in position to continue their Bundesliga dominance.

“I am not worried about Bayern’s future. We already have a good team which fights for the championship and we also will be fighting for it next year,” Rummenigge added.

“We’ve already done the first rebuilding phase by integrating young players like [Joshua] Kimmich, [Serge] Gnabry or [Kingsley] Coman. They are doing well this season. Phase two will follow in summer and then we’ll see if we need a third phase.”

Next stop: Leverkusen! #B04FCB #packmas pic.twitter.com/4x7nL0VEJr

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) February 1, 2019

Bayern go to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer unable to make the trip due to a hand injury sustained in training.

The champions have a six-point deficit to make up on league leaders Borussia Dortmund, but Rummenigge feels the title race will go the distance.

“We don’t want to chase Dortmund but we want to offer an exciting fight for the title,” he said.

“This is the most emotional title race in years and I have big respect for Borussia Dortmund.

“They are six points ahead and are stable but we’ll try to win our games and then see if we still can make it to the top.”