According to reports, Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has reached an agreement on personal terms with Manchester City.
Chelsea, who are eager to offload players with only a year left on their contracts, have given permission for Man City to hold discussions with Kovacic regarding a potential move.
Reliable source Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Premier League champions have now finalized a contract with the Chelsea midfielder. The two clubs are expected to negotiate a fee after the conclusion of the Champions League final.
Kovacic himself has confirmed his desire to leave Chelsea this summer after what he described as a disappointing season at Stamford Bridge. The 29-year-old who has only one year remaining on his current contract, expressed his readiness to seek a new environment.
In an interview ahead of Croatia’s Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands, Kovacic acknowledged the likelihood of departing the west London club.
“I have one year left on my contract with Chelsea. It’s been a really bad season,” the midfielder admitted.
“Everything indicates that after five years I will change the environment, but we will see what happens.”
He also took the opportunity to praise Manchester City, referring to Pep Guardiola’s team as a top side. This has sparked speculation about a potential move to the Etihad.
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“Manchester City is a top team and deserves to be in the Champions League final. That’s what I have to say. The summer is long, we’ll see what happens in the future.”
In the event that Ilkay Gundogan’s contract extension doesn’t materialize, Manchester City will be in the market for a new midfielder. Gundogan, their captain whose contract is expiring, has attracted interest from Barcelona, Arsenal, and several Saudi Arabian clubs.
Kovacic is expected to join the Premier League and FA Cup champions in the upcoming season, as Guardiola has been impressed with his performances during his stints at Real Madrid and Chelsea.
The Croatian has expressed admiration for Manchester City and their achievement in reaching the Champions League final. However, he also acknowledged that the future remains uncertain and anything can happen during the summer.
In the recently concluded season, Kovacic made 37 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions. He scored one goal and provided two assists in what was a turbulent campaign for the club.
Another Chelsea midfielder, Mason Mount, is also rumored to be on his way out, with Manchester United and Liverpool both vying for his signature. However, it is understood that new manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen to retain the services of the English star.
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