Callum Hudson-Odoi may consider offers to leave Chelsea in the upcoming transfer window, despite having signed a five-year contract just 10 months ago.
The Independent understands that the 19-year-old has become frustrated after effectively being sidelined by Frank Lampard since the restart, playing just 48 minutes of football in all competitions.
Hudson-Odoi, viewed as a generational talent within Chelsea’s academy, signed a long-term contract worth around £120,000 per week last September after a fraught saga that included the teenager handing in a transfer request in an attempt to join German champions Bayern Munich.
Despite a willingness to consider his options, Hudson-Odoi has no intention of forcing a move, with any deal unlikely in the current climate, although several clubs would be interested in the England international.
Chelsea have already signed Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner ahead of next season, while the Blues are currently firm favourites to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz this summer, with personal terms informally agreed, potentially adding even more competition to the club’s attacking quartet. However, The Independent has been told that Chelsea and Leverkusen’s valuations of the 21-year-old are still currently quite far apart.
Ziyech is often deployed as a winger, with Werner capable of playing on Hudson-Odoi’s favoured left side, while Christian Pulisic has flourished into a starter in recent weeks. However, the prospect of Hudson-Odoi becoming a mainstay under Lampard still remains on the horizon, with Pedro departing at the end of this season and Willian likely to follow.
Hudson-Odoi started the last four Premier League games prior to the coronavirus outbreak, but an injury, alongside a breach of lockdown guidelines, has seen him used sparingly since football resumed.
The Blues’ long-term pursuit of a new left back continues to broaden, with doubts over the viability of meeting Leicester’s firm asking price for Ben Chilwell. However, Emerson Palmieri is still likely to join Inter Milan regardless this summer, with negotiations currently ongoing between Chelsea and Antonio Conte’s side after a deal was held up in January due to the Blues’ inability to secure a replacement.
As widely reported, Chelsea are also open to selling goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, but a lack of suitors makes the prospect of the club-record signing leaving very unlikely.
