Bayern Munich head coach Niko Kovac admits his side needs young players as the club continue to be linked with Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Chelsea have already rejected offers worth £13.5m and £20m for Hudson-Odoi this month but it has been reported that the Bundesliga club have increased their offer to £30m, which includes various add-ons.
The 18-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s FA Cup third round win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, providing both assists in a 2-0 win.
But with fellow Londoners Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson thriving with more game time in the German top flight, Bayern are hopeful of convincing him to leave Stamford Bridge.
In Pictures | Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest | 05/01/2019
With former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery both in their mid-30s, the Bayern head coach admits fresh blood is needed – and insists he won’t hesitate to bring youngsters straight into his starting XI.
"We always need young players," said Kovac. "It is my job and the job of [Bayern sporting director] Hasan Salihamidzic to change the team as the team does not get any younger."
"If a player is good it doesn't matter how old he is. We are looking for younger talented players but also players who are ready because the young talented players need time to develop."
When quizzed on the Blues youngster specifically, Kocac said: "[Hudson-Odoi] is from the same year as Sancho, which was very successful," the Bayern coach told reporters on Saturday.
"It is completely normal that we are aware of and are following the player. For if and when something will happen you will have to ask Brazzo (Bayern's sporting director Salihamidzic)."
