Football News

Defender contract impasse gives Chelsea new hope of winter deal

Chelsea have been given a boost in their pursuit of Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule with news that he is in no hurry to begin discussions over a new deal in Germany.

The 26-year-old is currently in his fifth season with the Bavarians after joining from 1899 Hoffenheim in 2017. He is a regular starter for manager Julian Nagelsmann and has been given the nod in five of Bayern’s six Bundesliga games this term. And it has been a successful start to the campaign for the champions, with 16 points seeing them top the early standings.

The Germany international has been a key component of the side ever since he arrived at Allianz Arena. He made 27 top-flight appearances in his first season and upped that by four in 2018-2019.

However, the following season was a disaster as he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in just the eighth league game. The Frankfurt-born ace did return for the delayed Champions League and made a substitute appearance as Bayern beat Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…

Last season saw 20 outings as a thigh injury kept him sidelined for a while in April this year. But that did not stop the Blues from being linked with the man capped 35 times by Germany.

Rumours emerged of a possible rift between player an club back in February after comments by Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. He hinted that the centre-back may need to be ‘flexible’ over the terms of his new contract.

The Germany legend suggested that other clubs may well offer him a better deal, with Manchester United also thought to be keen. But it is the Chelsea link that seems the strongest and the latest news will be music to their ears.

Sule holds all the aces

Chelsea are among the favourites to win this season’s Premier League title. They have started well and sit just one point behind table-topping Liverpool.

Manager Thomas Tuchel has assembled a talented squad who are also looking to defend their Champions League title. Therefore the west Londoners are an attractive proposition for any player and may be of interest to Sule.

Bayern want to schedule talks with the rangy stopper but Abendzeitung (via football.london) are suggesting he is stalling over dialogue. Sule will be out of contract at the end of the season and available on a free transfer.

Bayern are desperate to prevent that happening and want to tie him to fresh terms as soon as possible. They need to act fast as he will be able to negotiate with prospective new clubs from January.

READ MORE: ‘I see myself in Spain’ – Wantaway Chelsea defender makes transfer hint

The post Defender contract impasse gives Chelsea new hope of winter deal appeared first on TEAMtalk.