Bayern Munich will not be signing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic this summer, it has been claimed. Recent reports had stated that Thomas Tuchel wants to buy the Croatia international but the German is now prioritising other areas.

Kovacic has been linked with a move to both Bayern and Manchester City. He has been a regular this season in what will go down as one of Chelsea’s worst campaigns in recent memory.

He was first brought to the Premier League by Maurizio Sarri in the summer of 2018 before his loan move from Real Madrid was made permanent a year later. Kovacic remained an integral part under Frank Lampard, Tuchel and Graham Potter.

He has made over 200 appearances for the Blues in all competitions. The Mail claims that Kovacic could be one of several high-profile departures from Chelsea this summer.

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Tuchel remains a big fan of the 28-year-old and German outlet Sport 1 said he was keen on taking him to the Allianz Arena. But it appears he has performed a U-turn, with Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg saying that is no longer the case.

Plettenberg claims Bayern will not be pursuing a deal for Kovacic. The Bundesliga giants will instead target other areas, including up front.

Plettenberg tweeted on Monday: “News #Kovacic: Been told again that he’s definitely no transfer target for FC Bayern in summer! Regardless of the fact that he has worked very successfully with Tuchel at #CFC.

“Bayern has other ideas on that position. It will be more concrete in the next weeks. Main priority now: new striker!”

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Bayern are yet to properly replace Robert Lewandowski, who left on a free transfer to join Barcelona last summer. Eric Maxium Choupo-Moting is their top scorer in all competitions this season with just 17 goals to his name – 33 fewer than Lewandowski’s tally of 50 last term.

Meanwhile, Kovacic is not the only player who could leave Chelsea. The Mail says Mason Mount’s future is still uncertain.

The midfielder’s season has been dogged by injury problems and he won’t play again. Mount’s contract expires in 2024 and the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in signing him.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy could also be on his way out of Chelsea. The Senegal star has not featured since his country bowed out of the World Cup against England.

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