Lennart Karl is on the radar of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Lennart Karl to gauge whether the attacking midfielder would be interested in a move to England.
Karl, 18, broke into Bayern’s first-team squad in early 2025 and has gone on to establish himself as one of the brightest young talents in German football.
In that time, Karl has made a total of 52 appearances in all competitions for Bayern while helping the club win the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup.
However, in a recent interview, Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeness questioned Karl’s social media activity and suggested the teenager still had a long way to go before he could be considered a ‘superstar’- raising some doubts over the youngster’s future at the Allianz Arena.
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‘He’s far from being a superstar,’ Hoeness said of Karl.
‘Young players need humility. Comparisons with Michael Olise obviously don’t do him any good.
‘There’s still a world of difference between them.’
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (17240489ds) LENNART KARL from Bayern Munich during DFB-Pokal, FC Bayern Munich and 1. FC Magdeburg. FC Bayern Munich V 1. FC Magdeburg: DFB-Pokal 2026/27, Germany - 28 Oct 2026
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (17240489ds) LENNART KARL from Bayern Munich during DFB-Pokal, FC Bayern Munich and 1. FC Magdeburg. FC Bayern Munich V 1. FC Magdeburg: DFB-Pokal 2026/27, Germany - 28 Oct 2026
Arsenal's Declan Rice guards Bayern's Lennart Karl during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Bayern and Arsenal in Munich Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Arsenal's Declan Rice guards Bayern's Lennart Karl during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Bayern and Arsenal in Munich Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
According to Bild, Hoeness’ remarks have caused a level of ‘unrest’ within Karl’s camp, and Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have been alerted to a potential deal.
It’s claimed the three Premier League giants have all made contact with Karl over the phone to discuss the Germany international’s current situation.
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The report adds that while it is not Bayern’s intention to force out Karl, an offer in the region of €60million (£50m) from a potential suitor could be enough to prise the diminutive midfielder away from Munich.
Karl’s contract with the reigning Bundesliga champions runs through to June 2029.
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 21: Lennart Karl of FC Bayern Munich arrives at the stadium before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between FC Bayern M??nchen and Arsenal FC at Football Arena Munich on October 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 21: Lennart Karl of FC Bayern Munich arrives at the stadium before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between FC Bayern M??nchen and Arsenal FC at Football Arena Munich on October 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Michael Ballack, who represents Karl with the Lucky 13 agency, was less than impressed by Hoeness’ comments, jumping to the defence of his client’s presence on social media.
‘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,’ the former Bayern and Chelsea midfielder told DAZN.
‘Social media is a major factor today, and not just for the younger generation. Everyone is free to present themselves as they wish.
DFB / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock (17207472ce) Michael Ballack Looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern M?nchen at WWK Arena on October 10, 2026 in Augsburg, Germany. FC Augsburg v FC Bayern M?nchen - Bundesliga 2026/27 - WWK Arena, Augsburg, Germany - 10 Oct 2026
DFB / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock (17207472ce) Michael Ballack Looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern M?nchen at WWK Arena on October 10, 2026 in Augsburg, Germany. FC Augsburg v FC Bayern M?nchen - Bundesliga 2026/27 - WWK Arena, Augsburg, Germany - 10 Oct 2026
‘Of course, they will not get everything right. Unfortunately, condemnation is inevitable.’
[Manchester United manager Michael Carrick during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Saturday October 31, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/Press Association. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Saturday October 31, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/Press Association. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.](https://metro.co.uk/2026/10/31/joe-cole-tells-man-utd-get-rid-57m-star-woeful-chelsea-performance-29755174/)
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.’
Karl has started just three of Bayern’s eight matches in the Bundesliga so far this season.
He was sent on in the 84th minute on Saturday as Vincent Kompany’s men were held to a 2-2 draw at home to fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund.
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