Chelsea lined up for transfer battle with Bayern Munich

Chelsea could end up in a transfer battle with Bayern Munich for youngster Leonard Prescott, with his contract expiring next summer.

Prescott is one of the rising stars at the German club at this moment in time. He currently plays for them in the U-19 Bundesliga. He’s yet to make his professional debut but has been in Bayern’s matchday squad six times already.

The 17-year-old is highly rated at the club and could be a future number one. There’s set to be change in that department moving forwards, with Manuel Neuer retiring and Jonas Urbig set to step up.

An experienced goalkeeper will be signed to provide back up. Fulham’s Bernd Leno is a prime candidate for that spot. Such an arrangement would allow the likes of Prescott to develop and then return to Munich ready to compete.

Chelsea efforts

But there is an issue on that front. His current deal with Bayern expires at the end of next summer. Reports in Germany have indicated that he could leave on a free transfer at that point.

BILD add to that, reporting that Prescott’s future remains undecided. While talks with Bayern are going, and both parties are open to an extension, there are other suitors.

Prescott has long been pursued by top international clubs, including Chelsea. BILD have also learned that several Bundesliga clubs are showing interest. They are dangling the prospect of early first-team playing time at the youngster.

That would be a better prospect than at Bayern, where he would be the third choice at best for a while. Whether that’s enough for his ambitions and talent is questionable.

Chelsea problem

If Bayern want to keep him, they will need more than just a new contract. They have to present him with a credible career plan that offers a genuine prospect of playing time.

The same could be said for Chelsea. They have Emiliano Martinez and the plan is for him to be number one for a couple of years at least.

But there is also Mike Penders to consider. He’s stepped in while Martinez is out and is very highly rated at Stamford Bridge. There has even been comparisons to Thibaut Courtois.

He would represent a major roadblock for the likes of Prescott, perhaps hindering the Blues’ efforts of convincing him to ditch Bayern next summer.

Sport Witness Analysis: Players to have represented both Chelsea and Bayern

BAYERN MUNICH & CHELSEA Players to have appeared for both clubs

Seven players  |
Senior competitive appearances for both men’s first teams

Player	Nationality	Bayern spell	Chelsea spell	Connection
Mark Hughes	Wales	1987–1988 Loan from Barcelona	1995–1998	Played for Bayern before returning to Manchester United, then joined Chelsea in 1995.
Erland Johnsen	Norway	1988–1989	1989–1997	Moved directly from Bayern to Chelsea in 1989.
Brian Laudrup	Denmark	1990–1992	1998	Had spells with Fiorentina, AC Milan and Rangers between Bayern and Chelsea.
Claudio Pizarro	Peru	2001–2007 2012–2015	2007–2009	Joined Chelsea directly from Bayern. Spent 2008/09 on loan at Werder Bremen and later returned to Bayern for a second spell.
Michael Ballack	Germany	2002–2006	2006–2010	Joined Chelsea on a free transfer after his Bayern contract expired.
Arjen Robben	Netherlands	2009–2019	2004–2007	Moved from Chelsea to Real Madrid in 2007 before joining Bayern two years later.
Nicolas Jackson	Senegal	2025–2026 Loan from Chelsea	2023–2026	Spent 2025/26 at Bayern on loan, before leaving Chelsea permanently for Aston Villa in August 2026.

Scope: Players who made at least one senior competitive appearance for both men’s first teams. Years show their club spells and can include time away on loan.
Academy distinction: Jamal Musiala is excluded because his Chelsea involvement was at youth level, without a senior competitive appearance for the club.
Updated: 12 November 2026.

SPORT WITNESS