Chelsea and Bayern Munich set for blockbuster summer transfer swap

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
• 3 min read

Chelsea and Bayern Munich could make a swap deal involving Mateo Kovacic and Leroy Sane next summer, according to reports.

Kovacic is a man in demand, with Manchester City reportedly in talks with the player and his agent while Inter Milan are interested in bringing him back to the San Siro at the end of the season.

Kovacic has featured prominently for Chelsea this season, but the Blues find themselves floundering in 11th, under their third manager in a tumultuous season, and the Croatian is out of contract in the summer of 2024.

READ: Kovacic reveals who was to blame for Potter sacking

According to Inter Live, the Nerazzurri 'dream' of Kovacic's return, but they face fierce competition from Bayern Munich.

Bayern favourites for Kovacic

"Without having to resort to a big fee, Bayern could stun the other international suitors by inserting Leroy Sane into the deal," they report.

"Sane's wife is fed up with Germany and recently returned to the UK, and a Kovacic-Sane exchange could suit both parties."

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 13, 2023

READ: Why Mane's punch-up with Sane is the perfect opportunity for Man Utd

Sadio Mane punched Sane after Bayern were beaten 3-0 by his former employers Manchester City earlier this month, and the latter has cut a disinterested figure in training since, not sprinting in drills and sitting on the ball between exercises.

New Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, latterly of Chelsea, wants a defensive midfielder to free up Joshua Kimmich, and while Casemiro is his dream target, it is unlikely Manchester United will let him go just a year on from signing him from Real Madrid. Kovacic is a viable alternative.

Chelsea are on the lookout for new wingers, meanwhile, with big-money arrivals Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk having disappointed so far.

Kovacic is valued at €34.7m per FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm; Sane €59.7m, so the Blues would likely have to give Bayern a cash plus player offer.

At a time when the shadow of Financial Fair Play looms large, that could be preferable to stumping up the whole amount for Sane up front.