Bayern Munich perform U-turn on Mateo Kovacic stance?

Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is reportedly interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic this summer.

The 28-year-old initially joined Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid in the summer of 2018 before making his move to Stamford Bridge permanent the following year.

Kovacic has since established himself as a first-team regular with the Blues, contributing with six goals and 14 assists in 218 appearances across all tournaments.

However, the Croatian's long-term future in West London is believed to be uncertain with his contract due to expire at the end of next season.

Kovacic is allegedly keen to seek pastures new this summer with Chelsea on the verge of failing to qualify for Europe – currently sitting 12th in the Premier League table and 15 points behind the top seven.

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Due to Kovacic's contract situation, Chelsea are not in a position to place a substantial asking price on the midfielder, who has attracted interest from Premier League trio Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.

A recent report claims that Kovacic's agent flew to the UK to hold talks with representatives of Man City last month over a possible £30m summer transfer.

Bayern Munich have been another club said to be keeping tabs on Kovacic's situation, although it was initially understood that the German giants would not look pursue a summer move for the midfielder.

However, according to Sport1, Bayern do have an interest in Kovacic and former Chelsea boss Tuchel is keen to reunite with the Croatian at the Allianz Arena and get the deal over the line before the 2023-24 campaign begins.

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Bayern are expected to delve into the summer transfer market and will looks to reshape their first-team squad following a below-par 2022-23 season which could end trophyless if they fail to get their hands on the Bundesliga title.

The Bavarian outfit have already agreed to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer on a free transfer in the summer, but Tuchel is still looking to bolster his options in the middle of the pitch.

Man United lynchpin Casemiro has recently emerged as a potential target for Bayern, with Tuchel said to be in the market for a new defensive midfielder, although it appears unlikely that the Red Devils would sanction a sale of the Brazilian after just one season at Old Trafford.

Bayern are also looking to strengthen up front and recruit a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who joined Barcelona last summer, with The Mirror claiming that Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins have been identified as potential targets.