Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly wants to reunite with two of his former Chelsea stars at the Allianz Arena.
The 49-year-old was officially unveiled as the Bundesliga champions' new manager on Friday evening, replacing Julian Nagelsmann following his compatriot's shock firing.
Tuchel has penned a two-year contract with Bayern until the summer of 2025, returning to the managerial landscape six months on from being sacked by Chelsea.
A lack of direction in the transfer market was believed to have been one of the key factors in Bayern's decision to fire Nagelsmann, and Tuchel is already putting plans in place for the summer window.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Tuchel is keen to lure Edouard Mendy and Mateo Kovacic to Bavaria, with both men facing uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge.
Mendy had initially displaced Kepa Arrizabalaga as the Blues' first-choice goalkeeper upon his arrival in 2020, but the Senegal international has now fallen behind the Spaniard in the pecking order.
A fractured finger has not helped Mendy's cause, but the 31-year-old is also said to be stalling over a new contract at Stamford Bridge, with his current deal due to expire in 2025.
With Chelsea also expected to seek out a new number one in the summer transfer window, the Blues are said to be open to offers for Mendy, as Bayern plan for life without long-serving number one Manuel Neuer.
Mendy won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup under Tuchel's tutelage, but he has kept just one clean sheet in nine Premier League appearances in the current campaign.
Meanwhile, midfield regular Kovacic is due to become a free agent at the end of next season, but there are seemingly no discussions ongoing to extend the Croatia international's deal beyond 2024.
As a result, Chelsea could be open to parting ways with Kovacic this summer before he walks away for nothing next year, but Bayern will face heavy competition for his services.
All of Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City are said to be attentive to the 28-year-old's situation, although he has featured regularly for Graham Potter when fit this season.
Since joining the Blues on an initial loan from Real Madrid in 2018, Kovacic has posted six goals and 14 assists from 211 appearances for the club, and he scored his first top-flight goal of the season in a 3-1 win over Leicester City two weekends ago.
Chelsea have already sanctioned the departure of Jorginho to Arsenal this year, while N'Golo Kante's contractual situation is yet to be addressed, and he could still leave as a free agent this summer.
However, there is now said to be optimism over a new deal for the Frenchman, who made his long-awaited comeback from injury in a friendly against Charlton Athletic on Friday.
