Bayern Munich are interested in signing Croatian international Mateo Kovacic under the noses of initial front runners Manchester City.

Kovacic, who only has one year left on his contract at the Blues, was seen by many in the Man City camp as an ideal replacement for Ilkay Gundogan who looks set to leave the club for Barcelona at the end of the year. But now according to the German Sports outlet Sport1, Bayern Munich could be set to hijack the deal, which was first reported last week, with ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel remaining a huge fan of the midfielder.

Bayern Munich transfer news: Mateo Kovacic rumored with move to the Allianz Arena

Kovacic, who will turn 29 next week, already speaks fluent German and would be working under a manager for whom he won the Champions League together with in 2021. It is likely that the Croat’s next contract will be the last major one of his career and it is understood that it would be Chelsea’s preference not to let the midfielder go to a direct Premier League rival such as City.