Arsenal Eye Bayern Teenager Lennart Karl After Liverpool Wirtz Move

Arsenal are monitoring Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl, who has impressed after Liverpool’s £116m (€132m, $152.5m) signing of Florian Wirtz. The 17-year-old Germany U21 midfielder has scored and assisted in 14 of 18 games this season, becoming Bayern’s youngest player to do so in a single Bundesliga match. Karl, idolizing Martin Odegaard, could feature against Arsenal in the Champions League.

Being the latest focus of transfer attention, Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Bayern Munich’s teenage sensation Lennart Karl, following Liverpool’s high-profile signing of Florian Wirtz in the summer of 2025. Wirtz, who moved from Bayer Leverkusen for £116million, has struggled at Liverpool, registering just two assists in 15 appearances across the Premier League and Champions League.

Bayern’s decision not to pursue Wirtz financially allowed 17-year-old Karl to gain regular first-team opportunities, playing in 14 of 18 games this season. Karl, a Germany Under-21 international, recently starred in Bayern’s 6-2 win over Freiburg, scoring a goal and providing an assist, becoming the youngest player in Bayern history at 17 years and 273 days to achieve both in a single Bundesliga match. Capable of playing as a winger or attacking midfielder, Karl idolizes Martin Odegaard, and scouts from Arsenal have already observed him in Champions League action.

Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are reportedly tracking Karl, who has drawn comparisons to Odegaard due to his vision, left-footed play, and attacking mindset. With Arsenal facing Bayern in the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium, the club could have a direct opportunity to assess the young German star in action.