Man City make summer transfer decisions over Chelsea duo amid Guardiola’s personal admiration

Two Chelsea players are the subject of interest from Manchester City and Pep Guardiola this summer, according to reports.

Chelsea are set for a squad overhaul at the end of the season as they begin their plans for the 2023/24 campaign.

A sheer amount of work has been carried out on new signings which has reflected in the enormous transfer spend that is now in excess of £600 million since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership arrived in May 2022.

In addition to the many summer signings, eight new players were acquired, seeing Graham Potter‘s squad exceed 30 during the middle of the season. It has made it tricky for Potter to carry out his ideal training sessions, with the Chelsea head coach already expressing concerns over the bloated squad.

With the sheer number of new signings, departures are a consequence of the busy transfer activity and a large numbers of outgoings are expected this summer.

Many players’ futures are uncertain, with reports that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Cesar Azpilicueta, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Kalidou Koulibaly could all leave the club, some of whom only arrived last summer.

Meanwhile, Chelsea‘s new owners have made their stance clear over contracts. They don’t want to allow players to enter into the final year of their contracts, so decisions will be being made over several players come the end of the season, including Kai Havertz.

N’Golo Kante’s future has reportedly been resolved according to claims in France, with the 31-year-old suggested to have agreed a new deal until 2026 plus the option of a further year.

Now Manchester City are circling around Chelsea’s out-of-contract stars. The Daily Telegraph reports Pep Guardiola’s side are interested in both Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic, both of whom are out of contract in the summer of 2024.

Man City, Manchester United and Liverpool have all shown interest in Mount, with Potter telling Chelsea’s hierarchy to resolve his future as soon as possible, with the parties at an impasse over the length and terms of a new deal.

“It’s always complicated,” said Potter earlier this month on talks. “There is always negotiation. It’s best I leave it with Mason and the club. That’s the best way for that to be dealt with.

“He has been fantastic to work with, an important player for us. Of course, I hope it gets resolved quickly.”

Meanwhile, it is looking increasingly likely that Mateo Kovacic will leave Chelsea this summer and Man City could table a bid for the Croatia international.

The Telegraph states that his contract situation has alerted the current Premier League holders with Guardiola believed to be a ‘big admirer’ of the midfielder, a department they could look to strengthen this summer.

It’s suggested that ‘Chelsea are thought to be aware they could face competition’ to keep Kovacic at Stamford Bridge should they wish to try to extend his stay.

Should Chelsea sell Kovacic, a Premier League switch will likely be the best option in terms of commanding the highest possible transfer fee.

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