Official: Liverpool And Chelsea Miss Out On In-Form German Defender
Jan 16, 2017 at 5:18 PM
Chelsea and Liverpool will have to explore other centre-back options as Bayern Munich confirmed they will sign Niklas Sule in the summer.
Bayern Munich have confirmed Hoffenheim duo Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy will move to the Allianz Arena in the summer.
Last week German outlet Kicker claimed Chelsea made a “concrete offer” for Sule, but it looked unlikely that the Blues will land the target due to Bayern’s strong interest.
Meanwhile, Eurosport earlier this month claimed Liverpool are hopeful they can win the pursuit for the Hoffenheim defender having chased him in the past also.
Bayern president Uli Hoeness had warned last month that his club’s move for Germany defender Sule, 21, could be under threat due to Hoffenheim’s asking price – reported to be €25 million – but an agreement has now been reached and he has put pen to paper on a deal until 2022.
#FCBayern are pleased to announce that deals are in place to sign Niklas #Süle and Sebastian #Rudy in the summer. pic.twitter.com/kPkzAGwGuj
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 15, 2017
Versatile Germany international Rudy, whose Hoffenheim deal was due to expire in the summer, was also reported to be close to agreeing a move to Bayern and the 26-year-old has signed a contract until 2020.
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the club’s official website: “We’re very satisfied and delighted Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy are joining us. Signing two Germany internationals is an investment in FC Bayern’s future.
“Sebastian Rudy joins us on a free transfer. In the case of Niklas Sule we have reached a fair and serious agreement with TSG Hoffenheim.”
Rudy said: “It’s an absolute dream for me to go to Munich. FC Bayern are one of the greatest clubs in the world.”
Sule, who had been linked with Chelsea, added that he feels “a little wistful” about leaving Hoffenheim after coming up through the youth ranks but said the move gives him the opportunity of “maturing further with one of the best teams in the world.”
Niklas #Süle and Sebastian #Rudy will leave #tsg this summer for @Bundesliga_EN giants @FCBayernEN. Good luck boys… #tsg1899 pic.twitter.com/QhV5kXmY5L
— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@achtzehn99_en) January 15, 2017
TSG sporting director Alexander Rosen said on his club’s official website that the duo’s departure was a “huge loss but also recognition for the work at Hoffenheim.”