Transfer Centre

Thomas Tuchel wants Cesar Azpilicueta reunion at Bayern Munich?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 21 June 2023

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta is reportedly a transfer target for Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel following the pair's successful partnership in West London.

Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is reportedly eyeing a move for Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta this summer.

The pair formed a strong bond during Tuchel's time at Stamford Bridge, where Azpilicueta captained the Blues to glory in the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup under the German's wing.

A couple of months before Tuchel's sacking, Azpilicueta was also tipped to leave Chelsea amid interest from Barcelona, but he snubbed the Catalan giants to agree a new deal with the Blues.

However, those terms are due to expire at the end of next season, and the 33-year-old is facing competition from the youthful Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Malo Gusto for starts on the right.

With Chelsea also aiming to offload a plethora of unwanted names to fund their own transfer activity, Azpilicueta could find himself on the chopping block as the Blues try to garner a nominal fee before he departs for nothing in 2024.

Cesar Azpilicueta in action for Chelsea in January 2022 © Reuters

According to Bild, Bayern boss Tuchel is keen to reunite with his former skipper at the Allianz Arena, and the pair have remained in contact since the German's exit from Chelsea.

The report adds that Bayern could expect to snap up the former Marseille man for just €8m (£6.9m), and he could represent an ideal alternative to Manchester City's Kyle Walker.

At one stage, the German champions were said to have reached an advanced stage of discussions over a move for the England international as they prepare for Benjamin Pavard's expected farewell.

However, Man City have supposedly opened talks with Walker over a new deal at the Etihad, complicating Bayern's pursuit of the former Tottenham Hotspur man.

Azpilicueta would represent a much cheaper option ahead of his 34th birthday in August, but he remained a regular fixture of the Chelsea backline last season, in spite of his advancing years.

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel reacts on May 13, 2023 © Reuters

The Spain international made 32 appearances for Chelsea in all tournaments last term, starting 16 Premier League matches and three in the group stages of the Champions League.

Chelsea paid a mere £7.6m to sign Azpilicueta from Marseille in 2012, and the versatile defender has gone on to represent the club on 508 occasions, the sixth-most in Chelsea's history and the most for a foreign player.

The former Osasuna youngster has scored 17 goals and set up 56 more in the process, also winning the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup over the past 11 years.

Chelsea have already confirmed one summer sale, with N'Golo Kante departing for Al-Ittihad on a free transfer, and all of Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly are expected to join him in Saudi Arabia.

Arsenal are also said to have agreed a deal in principle for German attacker Kai Havertz, while Manchester City are on the brink of signing midfielder Mateo Kovacic.