Transfers
Mateo Kovacic to Man City latest: Positive talks, Chelsea’s stance & asking price, Bayern Munich interest
Mateo Kovacic will leave Chelsea this summer and Manchester City appear to be the likeliest destination for the Croatian.
The 29-year-old is out of contract next summer and the 2022/23 season, a campaign which ended in misery for Chelsea as they finished in 12th place in the Premier League, is set to be Kovacic’s final one at Stamford Bridge.
After making his loan move from Real Madrid permanent in 2019, Kovacic will leave Chelsea four years later having won the Europa League, Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Kovacic has made 221 appearances for Chelsea, scoring six goals and registering 15 assists.
A squad overhaul is underway at Stamford Bridge this summer. New head coach Mauricio Pochettino is overseeing change in the capital, trimming the bloated squad and Kovacic is one of those who are set to be sold.
He has not been offered a new deal and is ready for a new challenge, and Manchester City are the front-runners for his signature, with Pep Guardiola keen on a move for the midfielder.
Here are the latest developments of Kovacic’s proposed move to Man City this summer.
Transfer talks
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, ‘concrete talks’ have begun and discussions have been positive between Man City and Kovacic’s camp in the last few days over personal terms.
More talks are expected soon to thrash out and finalise a transfer for Kovacic to make the switch to the Premier League champions.
Chelsea’s stance and Mateo Kovacic asking price
As reported by David Ornstein, Chelsea have granted Man City permission to speak to Kovacic. They are open to letting him depart this summer to avoid him departing on a free transfer at the end of next season.
Tom Roddy and Paul Hirst of The Times report Chelsea are likely to ask for £30-40 million for Kovacic, with Jacob Steinberg adding that the clubs are ‘unlikely to have problems agreeing a fee’.
Bayern Munich interest
Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is interested in Kovacic, but the Blues midfielder prefers and is keen on a move to the Etihad Stadium.