‘In talks’: Club now plotting move for £9m backup after being put off by Chelsea asking price

Add as preferred source on Google

Bayern Munich have now held talks with Southampton over a deal for Armel Bella-Kotchap as Chelsea play hardball over Trevoh Chalobah.

That is according to Florian Plettenburg of Sky Germany.

So, what is the latest on Trevoh Chalobah at Chelsea? Let’s take a look…

What’s the story?

Well, Thomas Tuchel is keen on a reunion with the 24-year-old in Germany.

However – according to the Evening Standard – Chelsea countered Bayern Munich’s offer of a loan deal with a £50m asking price for a permanent move.

That is said to have put Bayern Munich off, and while the German giants have not completely lost interest in Chalobah, those at the Allianz Arena are making backup plans.

Plettenburg believes Bella-Kotchap of Southampton is Bayern Munich’s alternative to the Chelsea No.14 this summer, and talks have already taken place with the Saints.

Southampton are willing to allow the Germany international to join Tuchel’s side on loan – something Chelsea are not when it comes to Chalobah.

Therefore, the Southampton No.5 – who the Saints paid £8.6m for – currently seems more likely to make the move to Bayern Munich than Chalobah does.

Chelsea must not cost Trevoh Chalobah his move to Bayern Munich

The Evening Standard add that Chalobah wants to join Bayern Munich.

In that respect, it would be cruel if Chelsea denied their academy graduate a chance to play regularly for a European giant – who also have UEFA Champions League football – just to obtain a hugely inflated fee.

Mauricio Pochettino has left Chalobah out of all three Premier League matchday squads so far this season, so it is unfair to value him at £50m – he clearly isn’t needed.

The Blues already have Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana, so Chalobah does not have an easy route into the starting XI.

Hopefully, Chelsea and Bayern Munich can find an agreement before Friday’s transfer deadline, and all parties end up feeling content with the outcome.