Bayern join Real Madrid & Man City in race to sign Chelsea star
Cameron Smith
- 22 Sept 2023 09:57 BST
- 3 min read
Bayern Munich have reportedly entered the race to sign Chelsea captain Reece James as Thomas Tuchel’s eyes a reunion with the Blues star.
James, 23, played a key role under Tuchel during the German’s time at Stamford Bridge and is now being looked at as a possible option to fill the void at right-back in Bavaria.
Benjamin Pavard left Bayern to join Inter Milan for €30 million at the end of the summer transfer window, and Austrian international Konrad Laimer has since been used as Bayern’s first-choice right-back.
READ MORE: Chelsea consider SHOCK Mudryk decision as €70m signing set for transfer
The summer arrival from RB Leipzig is typically a central midfielder, but Tuchel has opted to play him at full-back rather than Noussair Mazrouai, who appears out of favour at the Allianz Arena.
However, Bayern now have their sights set on signing James, according to Fichajes, as they look to bolster their backline.
READ MORE: Man City REACH AGREEMENT to sign Man Utd wonderkid
James to leave Chelsea?
The Munich-based side are currently second in the Bundesliga, behind only Bayer Leverkusen on goal difference, and beat Manchester United 4-3 in their opening Champions League fixture of the 2023-24 campaign.
Bayern aren’t the only club interested in signing James, however, Real Madrid have a long-standing interest in the newly-appointed Chelsea captain, while Manchester City are also keen - as reported by FootballTransfers.
Sources have told us that Pep Guardiola’s side are still interested in James, despite the fact that Kyle Walker has signed a new contract at the club.
Bayern had previously chased Walker all summer, but have now turned their attention to Chelsea. Trevoh Chalobah was heavily linked with a move amid his uncertain Blues future, while James is now reportedly being looked at as Tuchel eyes a reunion.
James is currently recovering from another hamstring injury, which he suffered in the Premier League opener against Liverpool.
He made just 16 Premier League appearances for Chelsea last season as recurring injuries are becoming a real problem for the Englishman.
