Chelsea midfielder ‘will leave’ this summer after personal terms breakthrough

Mateo Kovacic will become another casualty of Chelsea’s squad overhaul this summer as his move to Manchester City nears.

After five years at the club, having initially joined on loan in 2018 before his switch was made permanent from Real Madrid in 2019, Kovacic is on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old is heading into the final year of his contract and a decision has been made to allow the Croatian to leave, with no contract extension to be offered to the midfielder, with the club’s new policy not to allow anyone to enter the final 12 months of their deals.

Manchester City look set to have won the race. Kovacic is keen on a move to the Premier League champions and Chelsea have given him permission to speak with Pep Guardiola’s side over personal terms.

Talks have been positive and although a fee is yet to be agreed between the clubs, it is unlikely to be an issue, with Chelsea set to command between £30-40 million, according to The Times.

Now Fabrizio Romano adds that Kovacic is ‘really close’ to agreeing personal terms and an agreement is ‘almost completed’. It’s confirmed the Chelsea midfielder ‘will leave’ this summer, it is now a matter of time.

Kovacic is the next in line to be part of the Chelsea clear-out as Mauricio Pochettino trims the bloated squad ahead of his official arrival on July 1.

Decisions have been made on both Joao Felix and Denis Zakaria, both will not return to the club next season, while Mason Mount looks to be nearing a departure after agreeing personal terms with Manchester United.

Up to 15 players could depart Stamford Bridge this summer, with a handful of new signings eyed to bolster the Argentinian’s squad as they look to avoid a repeat of their dismal 2022/23 campaign next season.