Arsenal have been handed a positive transfer update over Martin Odegaard and Antonio Nusa, with Bayern Munich reportedly unlikely to pursue either player strongly at present.
Christian Falk has played down suggestions that Bayern are interested in signing Odegaard from Arsenal. The Norway international was previously on the German club’s radar as a teenager, but Falk said Bayern are now satisfied with their existing options in his position.
Arsenal transfer update on Martin Odegaard
“He’s now too old and far too good for it to be an option for FC Bayern – especially at a time when the club is already fully stocked in this position,” Falk said.
Odegaard visited Bayern for a training session when he was around 16, during Pep Guardiola’s time as manager, but ultimately joined Real Madrid before moving on to Arsenal.
Falk added that Odegaard would not be moving to Munich “any time soon”, easing speculation that Bayern could make a move for the Arsenal captain.
Bayern’s position could also benefit Arsenal in their interest in Nusa, although the German club are understood to admire the RB Leipzig winger.
Antonio Nusa wants regular starting football
Falk said Bayern sporting director Max Eberl is a major admirer of Nusa and had considered him as a possible alternative to Luis Diaz. However, the Norway international would not regard himself as a back-up signing.
“As I mentioned, Bayern were looking for a potential backup option to Luis Diaz, but Nusa is no ‘backup’. He wants frequent game time in the starting XI,” Falk said.
That requirement could leave Arsenal better placed than Bayern, with Nusa reportedly seeking a club where he would have a clearer route to regular first-team football.
Leipzig paid €21 million (£17.5 million) for Nusa, but Falk claimed Bayern would need to pay considerably more to sign him, with discussions taking place in the region of €50m-60m (£41.6m-50m).
“This would have been too much for a backup signing,” Falk said, adding that he did not believe there was currently a strong chance of Nusa moving to Bayern next summer.
