“Arp will be a full Germany international” - Kovac

Arp, 19, will join Bayern from Hamburg next summer at the latest, with the record Bundesliga champions leaving the exact date of the striker’s arrival up to the Germany U19 star himself.

Whilst Bayern are in no rush to throw him into the first team, with Robert Lewandowski showing little sign of slowing down, Kovac thinks Arp will be ready when he is called upon.

“He’s a very good player,” the coach explained at the pre-match press conference for Saturday’s clash between Bayern and Schalke. “Bright prospects need to be transferred as quickly as possible, otherwise there are others who would come in for them.”

Watch: Arp on his first Bundesliga goal

Arp became the first player born in this millennium to score a Bundesliga goal when he found the target in HSV’s 2-1 loss at Hertha Berlin in October 2017 at the age of 17 years, nine months and 23 days.

Arp has featured in 11 games for Hamburg this season, but his best work has been for their reserves, for whom he has three goals in three games. Kovac is unconcerned about the potential step up in competition.

“You can’t say that a player at HSV can’t do anything,” he said. “The pressure on them to get promoted is big. That you must invest in players for the future is clear. Many clubs do this, but I’m sure he’ll be a full Germany international in a few years.”