A player is currently growing up at FC Bayern who is causing a stir far beyond the club’s borders. Lennart Karl is regarded as the biggest talent to emerge from the Bayern campus in years – and has long since caught the eye of Europe’s elite. The hype surrounding the 17-year-old has reached a new dimension
What has long been considered a certainty within the German record champions is increasingly being confirmed internationally: Lennart Karl is no ordinary talent. His performances in the Bundesliga and especially in the Champions League are now being evaluated in detail by the scouting departments of almost all of Europe’s top clubs. As the portal fussballdaten.de reports, a veritable „scouting frenzy“ has now developed around the attacking midfielder
Europe’s elite take a close look
Real Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea are said to have recently sent high-ranking representatives to the Allianz Arena to watch Karl up close. According to international reports, the Whites in particular are considered the youngster’s personal dream club. Nevertheless, interest is widespread – Karl is emblematic of a new generation of difference-makers who are already delivering at the highest level at a young age
In sporting terms, the 17-year-old has earned his status himself. Karl made history this season when he became FC Bayern’s youngest goalscorer in the Champions League at the age of 17 years and 242 days. The decisive factor here is not so much his age as the naturalness with which he takes responsibility in big games. Goals, assists, game-deciding actions – Karl delivers at moments when other talents are still learning
In internal and external scouting reports, Karl is described as the „playmaker of the next generation“. His low centre of gravity, agility and explosive first touch make him extremely difficult to defend. His style of play is repeatedly compared to Arjen Robben, combined with the overview of a classic ten-man role
Bayern’s clear strategy with Karl
His left foot is particularly striking. Karl prefers to move inside from the right side and look for the finish or the final pass. His long-range shots are already among the most accurate in the Bayern squad. Despite his height of 1.68 metres, he also holds his own against physically robust opponents – an aspect that coach Vincent Kompany recently emphasised. The Belgian spoke of „fearless magic“ and praised Karl’s ball control in tight spaces
At Säbener Straße, they are aware of the special situation. Internally, Lennart Karl is considered „unsellable“. The club management around sporting director Max Eberl plans to build the time after Thomas Müller significantly around him. A decisive moment will come on 22 February 2026: On his 18th birthday, Karl’s youth contract will automatically be converted into a professional contract, which will bind him to the club until 2029.
