THOMAS TUCHEL is eyeing a surprise return for one of his Chelsea stalwarts after missing out on Manchester City’s Kyle Walker.
Reports suggested that talks between Bayern and City were at an advanced stage over a deal for Walker, 33.
But Sky Sports report that City are unwilling to let the defender go this summer despite him only having a year remaining on his deal.
And as a result, Tuchel will look to reunite with Cesar Azpilicueta, 33, according to German outlet Bild.
The two worked together during Tuchel’s spell in charge of Chelsea between January 2021 and September 2022.
Under Tuchel’s reign Azpilicueta captained Chelsea to Champions League victory in 2021 as well as the Club World Cup later that year.
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The two still have a good relationship according to the German outlet and remain in touch.
The Spaniard still has a year left on his contract at the Bridge but an offer from Bayern could see the Blues cash-in as they trim their bloated squad.
Azpilicueta would be following Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech and N’golo Kante out the door if he were to bring his 11 year spell at Chelsea to an end this summer.
It has been a frustrating window for Bayern so far as Tuchel looks to mould the squad to his needs.
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The German took over in March when he replaced Julian Nagelsmann but endured a tough start to his tenure in charge.
The Bavarian side were knocked out of the DFB Pokal in Tuchel’s second game and were beaten convincingly by Manchester City in the quarter-final of the Champions League.
And while they finished the season as Bundesliga champions it was achieved amid a fraught squad atmosphere.
The Bavarian club have so far missed out on targets Declan Rice and look set to fail in their pursuit of Walker.
Tuchel is rumoured to approve of the sale of a number of players including: Benjamin Pavard, Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Sadio Mane as he looks to put his stamp on things.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
