Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic claims he is only in love with his wife and not Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The 18-year-old is out of contract in June 2020 and has been linked with a £35million move to the German champions.
Chelsea reportedly turned down a transfer request from Hudson-Odoi before the transfer deadline, with head coach Maurizio Sarri reiterating the club’s stance that they wanted to keep the youngster.
Karl Heinz Rummenigge has said that Salihamidzic has an obsession with signing Hudson-Odoi and that he “nearly fell in love” with the Chelsea man.
“The only one Hasan would have liked to buy was this player from Chelsea,” Rummenigge said.
“I have to say that he nearly fell in love with this player and his qualities. All the other things were rumours.
“We don’t have any demand on these positions for the second half of the season. This is a topic for the future.
“We’ll handle it in the next months and will decide.”
However, former Bayern midfielder Salihamidzic has refuted Rummenigge’s claims by saying his wife is the only one he loves.
“You know the only one I’m in love with is my wife,” Salihamidzic responded.
“But I am very, very convinced of the qualities this player has.
“He has a finesse which we need to play good, successful and sometimes even spectacular football.”