Chelsea has told Callum Hudson-Odoi that they are unwilling to sell him after the teenager handed in a transfer request.
The 18-year-old, who has 18 months left on his contract, has been the subject of a £35m bid from Bayern Munich.
The winger stated his intentions to leave on Saturday, having made just five starts for Chelsea this season.
Hudson-Odoi’s transfer request has been rejected, as the Blues still hope to convince the teenager to stay at Stamford Bridge despite his refusal to sign a new contract.
Bayern could revive their interest in the summer when Chelsea might be forced to sell if Hudson-Odoi does not have a change of heart. But the Blues now have another four months to prove how highly they value him.
The winger has attracted a lot of admirers this season, first impressing in the Community Shield against Manchester City back in August. Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have shown the most interest in signing the winger, interest that was reciprocated by Hudson-Odoi after he found himself struggling for first-team minutes and was promised Arjen Robben’s number 10 shirt at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern had submitted bids in the region of £40m for the player, hoping that would be enough to persuade Chelsea to part with a player who does not often feature in the starting line-up. But Chelsea is determined to keep hold of the 18-year-old, presumably under the impression that more game time in the second half of the season will be enough to change his mind.
Hudson-Odoi scored in the 3-0 victory at home to Sheffield Wednesday but is yet to start a Premier League game for Chelsea.
“We believe in what he can do for this club,” Zola said.
We don’t know many 18-year-olds who are playing as much as him. It shows we believe in him.” He added
Chelsea still hope that they will sign a new five-year deal worth £80,000 a week but Hudson’s current contract runs out in the summer of 2020 and with just one year left on his deal, Chelsea will have to accept substantially less than the £35m Bayern have offered this month.
