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Manchester City and Chelsea have initiated transfer negotiations for Mateo Kovacic according to the latest reports.
The Croatian international has just one year remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge and will be allowed to leave as the Blues attempt to trim their overcrowded roster.
Over the last season the west London side signed so many players that reports emerged that the club had to make use of two dressing rooms at its training ground.
Chelsea have granted Pep Guardiola’s Man City permission to negotiate personal terms with Kovacic as a transfer appears imminent.
It is anticipated that the two clubs will reach a fee agreement and that the Croatian midfielder Kovacic will join the current Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium.
Other clubs have also been reported to be monitoring Kovacic’s situation in west London, but he is rumored to be eager for a new challenge and to work with Pep Guardiola in particular. The City manager has always admired the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan midfielder according to rumors.
Kovacic Will Attempt To Add To Trophy Cabinet With Chelsea Departure
In recent years, Kovacic’s importance has grown at Chelsea, where he has made 221 appearances since arriving on loan from Real Madrid. During his tenure with the club, Kovacic has won the Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.
However, new Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino is believed to have given his approval for Kovacic’s transfer to Manchester, where Pep Guardiola is seeking to bolster his midfield options.
City are awaiting Ilkay Gundogan’s decision on whether he wishes to remain with the club this summer or whether the German international, whom Pep Guardiola has publicly referred to as “one of the best players” he’s ever trained in his management career, desires a change of scenery.
Barcelona remain interested in bringing Gundogan to Spain on a free transfer and are also reported to be interested in his City teammate Bernardo Silva.
Meanwhile, Mason Mount is a player Pochettino is extremely eager to retain at Chelsea despite his up and down 2022/23 season.
The England international is entering the final year of his contract, and Manchester United and Liverpool are becoming increasingly interested in signing him.
The club’s proprietors are eager to sell him this summer in order to prevent him from leaving for nothing in 2024, as extension negotiations have stalled as the player has explored other options.
Pochettino hopes to convince the player and his representatives that his long-term future should be at Chelsea through discussions with the player and his agents.
The Argentinean manager may hold up his time at Chelsea’s cross-city rivals Tottenham Hotspur as an example of how he can bring Mount and his teammates back to competing for major titles again.
The former Paris Saint Germain coach will also hope his player development credentials may appeal to Mount enought to urge the Three Lions midfielder to stay at the Blues.
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