Manchester City have expressed an interest in signing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic in the summer.
Mateo Kovacic, 28, is one of a number of players whose current contract at Chelsea runs until 2024. Given no talks are ongoing with the midfielder over a contract extension, it is no surprise that teams from across Europe are keeping tabs on his situation.
Manchester City are reportedly one of those clubs as manager Pep Guardiola is an admirer of Croatia international and is expected to make changes to his midfield before the start of the 2023/24 season. Guardiola’s top target is Jude Bellingham but as there is a lot of competition to sign the Borussia Dortmund star, City are keeping their midfield targets wide and open.
The futures of Silva and Gundogan remain uncertain
Pep Guardiola is looking to reinforce his midfield when the transfer window reopens in the summer, with the futures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva, who are wanted by Barcelona, uncertain.
Gundogan, 32, has been a key player for the club in the last half a dozen years, helping Guardiola’s side win four Premier League titles and many cup competitions. However, the German international has entered the final four months of his contract and looks likely to depart City on a free transfer. His situation has caught the attention of Barcelona, who are also huge admirers of Bernardo Silva and were keen to sign him last year.
In addition to Gundogan and Silva’s futures at the Etihad Stadium, Kalvin Phillips has made little impact since arriving from Leeds United before the start of the 2022/23 season. So City are planning to sign a midfielder in the summer, with Jude Bellingham a top target.
Man City keeping tabs on Mateo Kovacic
As Gundogan is out of contract at the end of the season, Kevin de Bruyne ageing and Rodri in need of some healthy cover, City signing up a Premier League-proven midfielder in Mateo Kovacic would be another smart move.
Kovacic has played over 200 times for Chelsea since arriving from Real Madrid in 2018, winning the Champions League, the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup. The Croat has shown that he can produce big moments in big games and has that winning mentality that would only improve Guardiola’s City squad.
If Kovacic can keep himself fit and firing, he would be a good option to cover and compete with Rodri as Phillips has not shown much so far in his first season at the Etihad Stadium. The 28-year-old has the qualities to thrive at City, as Guardiola looks to battle on all four fronts next term.
