Fulham have reportedly had an opening bid for Chelsea outcast Callum Hudson-Odoi rejected this summer.
The winger, 22, has returned to Stamford Bridge after an underwhelming loan spell at Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. In just 14 Bundesliga appearances, he registered just one assist as he failed to live up to his reputation at Bayer Leverkusen.
According to The Athletic, Fulham are the first club to make a move for Callum Hudson-Odoi, who wants to leave his boyhood club this summer in search of regular first-team football.
Hudson-Odoi has been training away from the first-team group since the start of pre-season. New Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino cannot guarantee the three-cap England international that he will get regular minutes next season following the arrival of several attacking players in January and last summer.
As a result, Chelsea are open to offers for the 22-year-old but have rejected an opening bid from Fulham. Nottingham Forest and AC Milan are also interested in the player, the report adds.
Callum Hudson-Odoi to Fulham—Should the Cottagers pursue him?
Fulham are interested in strengthening their wide options this summer. They have lost Manor Solomon and Neeskens Kebano while still pushing to find an agreement over a one-year contract with Willian, who was a key player for Marco Silva’s side last season when they finished 10th in the table.
In addition to re-signing free agent Willian amid interest from Nottingham Forest, Marco Silva is also eyeing a move for Callum Hudson-Odoi. After progressing through the youth ranks at Chelsea, Hudson-Odoi made his senior debut in 2019 and quickly was viewed as the next star of English football. However, he has failed to progress in his career in recent years due to a mixture of chronic inconsistency and injury problems.
At 22, the three-cap England international is still very young to get his career back on track, and a move to Fulham could help him in his cause. A manager like Marco Silva, who has done a fantastic job at Craven Cottage, could be the right manager to help Hudson-Odoi regain his lost confidence. The speedy winger needs regular playing time and should get that under Silva at Fulham.
With a year left on his contract, Hudson-Odoi is keen to leave Stamford Bridge as he wants regular first-team football. Chelsea are similarly keen to part ways with their academy graduate as they continue to recoup money this summer, following a massive outlay over the past two transfer windows.
Regardless of having an opening bid rejected, Fulham must do what is possible to sign the talented Hudson-Odoi from their west London rivals.
