boss has made midfielder Mateo Kovacic his top transfer target and the Blues are willing to sanction a sale, according to reports.
The 49-year-old was to axe , with the Bundesliga club’s hierarchy having become concerned that their treble hopes were at risk.
But Tuchel has already lost as many matches as his predecessor had all season, exiting the DFB-Pokal Cup and Champions League as well as sacrificing top spot in the Bundesliga after a defeat to Mainz.
, Tuchel is not particularly happy with the squad he has inherited and is already thinking about reinforcements for next season.
Chief among his concerns is the midfield position, with the German coach keen to bring in a new number six who can sit in front of the defence, provide tenacity in the tackle as well as protecting and carrying the ball.
Although Bayern have already wrapped up a deal for RB Leizpigs’s Konrad Laimer, he does not fit the profile Tuchel is looking for – but he knows a player who would be ideal.
Tuchel remains a massive fan of Kovacic from their time together at Stamford Bridge and feels he is the ideal signing to sit in front of the defence and act as a pivot for the likes of Laimer and Joshua Kimmich to play more offensively.
Moreover, Chelsea are willing to let the Croatia international leave this summer and are conscious of the fact he only has one year left on his contract.
So far, talks over a renewal have hit something of a stalemate and, rather than risk losing the 28-year-old for nothing in a year’s time, this would represent Chelsea’s last opportunity to cash in.
, meanwhile, has already made a new number six , which suggests he is not planning to hang on to Kovacic.
In general, Chelsea are facing some level of pressure to sell players this summer and raise funds for more investment, with their £600million outlay in the last year curbing their spending power now – and leaving them with a massively bloated squad.
Tuchel will discuss a possible move for Kovacic with sporting directors Hasan Salihamidzic and Marco Neppe closer to the end of the season and listen to any alternative suggestions they might have.
In addition to a new midfielder, Bayern are also keen to bring in a new striker and ideally would like Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who could be tempted to return to the Bundesliga due to his German girlfriend’s desire to return home.
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