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Teenage sensation Leonard Prescott is facing an uncertain future at Bayern Munich, presenting Chelsea with a perfect transfer opportunity.
The New York City-born Germany youth international has not yet made his senior debut, but he came close last season when he was almost thrown into the deep end in the Champions League.
Bayern faced an injury crisis in the goalkeeper position ahead of their round of 16 tie with Atalanta and seriously considered starting the then-16-year-old between the sticks. It ultimately didn’t come to this, though, because Manuel Neuer’s deputy, Jonas Urbig, recovered in time and played.
Between March and April, Prescott made six first-team matchday squads. Head coach Vincent Kompany, who has given several youngsters their senior Bayern debuts, is a huge fan of the highly-rated shot-stopper.
However, Bayern are now faced with the serious prospect of losing “one of Europe’s biggest goalkeeper talents,” according to Sky Germany. Contract talks with the 17-year-old are stalling because of a lack of a senior pathway.
Prescott to leave Bayern?
Prescott’s existing deal is due to expire next summer, and the current indication is that he will not extend because Bayern can’t offer him first-team minutes at this stage. The Munich club have already outlined their goalkeeper plans for next season, and there is no place for the youngster.
With Neuer and Sven Ulreich expected to retire next year, Urbig will become the undisputed No.1 at Bayern, while a new No.2 will be signed. This player is expected to be a veteran rather than a peak-age player or young talent who could compete with Urbig.
Prescott would therefore have to make do with being third choice, going out on loan or featuring for the reserves, who play in the fourth tier of the German pyramid.
Bayern believe that Urbig will be their starting goalkeeper for the next decade, so it is understandable that Prescott feels he may have to take his talents elsewhere in order to find a proper pathway to regular first-team football.
His availability has piqued the interest of several European giants. Already in the summer, Prescott was being courted by Chelsea and Juventus. Their interest in the teenager remains, and they will be heartened by the reports now coming out of Germany.
Given his desire to play senior football within the next couple of years, it remains to be seen if he will decide to join one of the big hitters or if he opts to take an intermediate step that can offer him game time guarantees.
Chelsea certainly haven’t done a great job developing shot-stoppers in recent years. Gabriel Slonina arrived at the club as the biggest goalkeeper talent in the US in 2022. He has yet to make a first-team appearance and tried to leave this summer, but failed to secure a move.
Djordje Petrovic and Filip Jorgensen both left the club in search of regular football over the past 12 months, while current No.2 Mike Penders has already hinted at frustration over his lack of minutes behind Emiliano Martinez.
Prescott may therefore be well-advised to consider a move elsewhere, but it is no surprise that Chelsea would be interested. He is among the top talents in his position and seems to have a bright future ahead of him.
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