Chelsea to battle with Bayern Munich for RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer
As per a tweet from Christian Falk of German outlet Bild (h/t Football.London), Chelsea will battle with Bayern Munich for the signature of RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer, who is out of contract next summer.
The Austrian international will be a free agent in the summer with Bayern leading the race to sign him. However, Chelsea, along with Premier League rivals Liverpool are also in the race.
According to Sky Sports, the 25-year-old was linked with Manchester United when Ralf Rangnick was in charge of the club. He hasn’t been linked with since Erik ten Hag took charge in the summer.
Laimer is a central midfielder by trade who can operate as a defensive midfielder and sometimes as a fullback on either side. Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit likened his game to current Blues superstar N’Golo Kante.
Kante, who is in the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge, may leave the club as a free agent next summer. Laimer could well be his direct replacement if Chelsea manage to sign him ahead of Bayern.
The RB Salzburg youth product has been one of the reasons behind the success of the Red Bull clubs on the field. He is an aggressive ball-winner, doesn’t mind going into tackles, passes the ball well and has an odd goal in him.
Not just Kante, Chelsea have the future of another midfielder Jorginho up in the air as well. The Italian international is also in the final year of his contract at the club, with talks of extension at a halt following the player’s demand for a pay rise.
So, a midfield revamp, irrespective of what happens with Jorginho’s contract, is a must. Laimer has the quality and experience to come in and grace the position with his class on and off the ball.
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The big question is whether Chelsea can beat Bayern in this race because the German champions generally come out on top when signing top players from other clubs in the Bundesliga.