Manchester City are reportedly getting more confident about signing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Pep Guardiola’s team is currently vying for the FA Cup and the Champions League after winning the Premier League this season.
Achieving the treble would be one of Guardiola’s best successes as a manager, assisted by a squad with depth in almost every part of the pitch.
Nonetheless, despite already having plenty of competition inside the squad, it would be surprising if Guardiola did not bring in a few new faces.
This includes central midfield, despite the fact that important player Ilkay Gundogan is rumoured to be reconsidering his decision to leave the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer.
Since it became clear that Kovacic will almost probably leave Chelsea this summer, City has been one of the clubs most regularly associated with him.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, the parties involved have been discussing Kovacic’s future since the start of the week.
Manchester City in advance talks for Kovacic deal
According to Romano, “concrete talks” have begun in order to negotiate the transfer of the Croatia international in the coming weeks.
In 221 games for Chelsea, Kovacic has six goals and 15 assists, but his importance has faded during the club’s disastrous 2022-23 season.
Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the club’s owners, are hesitant to give Kovacic, who recently turned 29, a new deal at a time when the team desperately needs to raise finances and reduce the payroll bill.
According to the source, City have negotiated personal conditions with Kovacic’s team, with the expectation that a deal will be struck soon.
City may take longer to agree on a transfer cost with Chelsea, but City is aware that Chelsea wants to oversee as many exits as possible before June 30, the deadline for business to be recorded in this season’s books.
Chelsea have already been connected with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who is thought to be a good fit in the engine room with Enzo Fernandez.
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