Chelsea are newly hopeful a deal can be struck with teenage sensation Callum Hudson-Odoi, to keep him at the club long term.
The 18-year-old’s contract runs out in 2020, which has attracted the interest of Bayern Munich and Liverpool in a potential purchase this summer, but Chelsea have already made it clear that he will not be sold - especially as they face a Fifa transfer ban, pending a deal.
Sources close to the situation have however informed The Independent that a previous impasse has gone, and there is now more chance of the player agreeing a new contract.
The feeling is that Hudson-Odoi’s representatives - who are mostly immediate family - would be more open to an agreement.
If he were to stay, however, Chelsea would have to offer him a deal now befitting of his status as one of the most promising players in the game - as reflected by his first two England caps at the weekend - and offer reassurances about his playing time.
As was so ironically commented upon on Monday in Montenegro, Hudson-Odoi has now made a competitive start for his country before starting a game in the Premier League, and there had been a natural frustration there.
Key to this could be the future of Eden Hazard. If he goes to Real Madrid, it would open up a space in the team, all the more so if Chelsea are prohibited from registering new players.
