Mateo Kovacic Set to Join Manchester City in £30m Deal
Manchester City have agreed a deal with Chelsea worth up to £30m for Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The 29-year-old is set to join the Premier League champions for an initial fee of £25m, with £5m in potential add-ons.
Chelsea’s Squad Trimming
Chelsea are continuing to sell players as they look to trim their large squad for new manager Mauricio Pochettino. Fellow midfielder N’Golo Kante is also on his way out, having agreed to join Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
Kovacic’s Chelsea Career
Kovacic joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2019, initially on loan, before signing a five-year permanent contract. He made 37 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season in a turbulent campaign which saw the Blues go through three managers before finishing 12th in the Premier League. He was part of the Chelsea side who won the Champions League in 2021, coming on as a late substitute in the 1-0 final win over City.
Kovacic’s International Career
At international level, Kovacic has made 95 appearances for Croatia, playing every game as they finished third at the 2022 World Cup.
Impact on Gundogan’s Future
The arrival of Kovacic will throw further doubt on Ilkay Gundogan’s Manchester City future, with the Germany midfielder’s contract about to expire.
Conclusion
Mateo Kovacic is set to join Manchester City in a deal worth up to £30m. The Croatian midfielder has had an impressive career at both club and international level, and his arrival will have a major impact on Ilkay Gundogan’s future at the club. Chelsea are continuing to trim their squad as they look to rebuild under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.