Chelsea embroiled in FIERCE transfer battle for wantaway star
Tom Weber
- Updated: 31 Aug 2023 18:03 BST
- 3 min read
Fulham have revived their talks with Chelsea for the signature of Callum Hudson-Odoi, according to a report.
A small saga but a saga nonetheless, the 22-year-old is still a Chelsea player despite it being clear since the beginning of the summer that it is time for the former wonderkid to move on. Indeed, Hudson-Odoi has not been training with the Chelsea first team at all, but actually sealing an exit has proved tougher than expected.
Once the subject of a huge bid from Bayern Munich, injuries have caused the winger's career to stagnate. Chelsea have deemed him surplus to requirements and the player himself is said to be keen on a change of scenery.
READ: Chelsea target 'top talent' in CLUB RECORD transfer - Romano
Despite coming off an unsuccessful loan at Bayer Leverkusen, Hudson-Odoi still has Premier League suitors, albeit the money involved now is a world away from the £70 million Bayern were ready to put on the table a few years ago.
Fulham were first on the case and tried to strike a deal earlier in the transfer window, but a move ultimately never materialised. Nottingham Forest subsequently swooped in and made good progress in the negotiations with Chelsea, but now there is another twist: Fulham are back in the race.
A Premier League battle
That's at least according to the Evening Standard, which claims that Chelsea's west London rivals have re-opened talks with the Blues for the transfer of Hudson-Odoi despite his being close to moving to Forest.
"The Cottagers walked away from discussions...just over a week ago due to Chelsea’s £8m asking price, but have since returned to the negotiating table," the report claims.
READ: Trevoh Chalobah's transfer from Chelsea to Bayern Munich is OFF
The winger already agreed personal terms with Fulham during the first round of talks but could be tempted by Nottingham Forest's interest given that they are managed by his former England youth coach Steve Cooper.
