Bayern Munich were not the only big club chasing Australian prodigy Nestory Irankunda before announcing his arrival on a long-term contract this week, 90min understands.
Irankunda made his Adelaide United debut in Australia's A-League at the age of just 15 in January 2022. Despite not starting a senior match last season, he did feature in the majority of games off the bench and contributed an impressive seven goal involvements.
Bayern have announced Irankunda's arrival but he will only make the move to Germany in February when he turns 18, as per FIFA rules on international transfers.
90min understands Barcelona had been monitoring Irankunda in recent months. The same is true of AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Valencia, while Chelsea and Newcastle United were the Premier League contingent that lost out to Bayern in the transfer pursuit.
Irankunda, a right winger, has so far been capped at international level by Australia's Under-17 team and has scored more than a goal per game. He was born in Tanzania after his parents fled their home due to the Burundi Civil War, with the family settling in Perth when he was three months old. They later relocated to Adelaide in 2013 and Irankunda was picked up by Adelaide United in 2021.
Bayern have long shown a willingness to scout wider international markets for emerging talent. The club landed a 17-year-old Alphonso Davies from Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps in 2018 - he properly joined upon turning 18 a few months later - and have since seen him flourish and develop into arguably the best left-back in the world in the years since.
Davies' future in Munich isn't clear cut. He will soon have just 18 months left on his contract and suitors are gathering in the hope of signing him. Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are all keeping watch, although they are sceptical about their chances due to a widespread belief that the 23-year-old has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Barcelona and Chelsea among clubs beaten by Bayern Munich to Australian wonderkid.