Arsenal among three PL clubs to contact Bayern starlet amid unrest
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have all made contact with Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl to gauge his interest in a move to England, according to Metro, citing a report from Bild.
The 18 year old attacking midfielder has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in German football since breaking into Bayern's first team in early 2025, racking up 52 appearances in all competitions and helping the club win the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup.
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But comments from Bayern's honorary president Uli Hoeness appear to have unsettled Karl's camp. Asked about the teenager, Hoeness said: “He's far from being a superstar. Young players need humility. Comparisons with Michael Olise obviously don't do him any good. There's still a world of difference between them.”
Agent Ballack hits back
Karl is represented by former Bayern and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack through the Lucky 13 agency, and Ballack did not hold back in defending his client when speaking to DAZN.
“Lennart is only 18. Where were you at 18? Just as he is trying things out on the pitch, he is doing the same off it,” Ballack said. “Social media is a major factor today, and not just for the younger generation. Everyone is free to present themselves as they wish. Of course, they will not get everything right. Unfortunately, condemnation is inevitable.”
Ballack added: “It is legitimate for Uli Hoeness to criticise how Lennart presents himself publicly. But it is also clear that, in doing so, he is making Lennart a public target.”
What would it take to sign him
According to the same report, it is not Bayern's intention to force Karl out, but an offer in the region of €60million (£50m) could be enough to prise him away from Munich. His contract at the Allianz Arena runs until June 2029, giving the German champions no urgent financial pressure to sell.
Karl has made just three league starts for Bayern this season under Vincent Kompany, though he was introduced in the 84th minute of Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Borussia Dortmund. His reduced role this campaign, combined with the unrest reportedly caused by Hoeness' remarks, appears to have prompted Arsenal, Liverpool and United to explore his situation over the phone.
Any move for Karl would represent a significant long term investment in attacking midfield talent rather than an immediate first team fix, given his age and current squad role at Bayern. With three Premier League heavyweights now said to be circling, his situation in Munich will be one to monitor closely over the coming months.
