
Chelsea
Premier League • England
Chelsea offered simple opportunity to snare star Bundesliga forward in straight swap for wantaway man

Bayern Munich forwards Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane
Bayern Munich are reportedly eyeing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, as they are preparing to let Leroy Sane go the other way to get him.
Kovacic is one of Chelsea’s longest serving players. Indeed, the Croatian is at his fifth season with the London club, following a move from Real Madrid.
Consistency is not something the Blues are famed for at the moment, on or off the field.
Results have been up and down for much of the season. Those poor results cannot have been helped by the massive influx of players over the past couple of transfer windows.
Chelsea have spent north of £500million in the last two windows alone. While a lot of quality players have walked through the door, there might have been too many new faces.
There have been 16 newcomers at Stamford Bridge in those two windows. As such, it’s not hard to see how that many new players being thrust together could make it difficult for things to click.
As such, experienced players like Kovacic are important, to keep structure. Chelsea might not have him to call upon for too much longer, though.
A report on Friday stated the midfielder is trying to force a move away from the club. With his contract ending at the end of next season, the Blues would seemingly rather sell than let him go for free then.
The report adds they’d prefer to see him go to a club outside of England.
Bayern set to offer swap for Kovacic
That could be to the benefit of Bayern Munich, who are the subject of interest, as per that same report. Another outlet has reinforced that interest, and explained how Bayern could snare Kovacic.
Indeed, InterLive suggests the Bundesliga side, along with Inter Milan, have been ‘following his exploits’, since Thomas Tuchel took charge.
They also state that deal could be done ‘without cash expense’. Indeed, the situation of Bayern winger Sane is mentioned; the report suggests he could follow ‘in the footsteps of his wife’ who ‘recently returned to the UK’.
Furthermore, the report states the exchange of Kovacic for Sane ‘would comfort both sides’.
Chelsea don’t need another forward
Chelsea would likely rather not see Kovacic leave at all, if they could. While he’s only started 15 of 32 league games this season, it’s important there are at least some players who are not fresh faces at the club.
It seems tough for a side to function if none of the players have a genuine connection with the club. The new players might gain that at some point, but it doesn’t happen immediately.
What’s more, the Blues don’t really need another forward. Indeed, Sane is a great player, having performed in the Premier League and at Bayern – he was directly involved in 85 goals in 135 games at City, and has as yet contributed to 72 in 128 Bayern games.
However, the Chelsea squad consists of nine forwards, along with a few more players who have previously occupied attacking roles.
With Christoper Nkunku soon to head through the door, too, there’s little need for more attacking talent. The midfield, on the other hand, could change drastically soon, with the futures of a few players up in the air.
As such, if they could avoid letting Kovacic go, that might be the best course of action. If not, getting a player in who is not a forward seems a smarter move.
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