Manchester City submit £25million offer to Chelsea for Mateo Kovacic

Manchester City have submitted a written bid of £25million to Chelsea for Mateo Kovacic.

The Athletic revealed last month that Chelsea had granted Manchester City permission to speak to Kovacic ahead of a potential move this summer.

The former Real Madrid midfielder, 29, wants to join the Premier League champions with the two clubs now working to find a solution.

The Croatian international has just one year left on his current contract at Stamford Bridge.

Pep Guardiola is keen to get a deal over the line having been an admirer of the player since his time at Madrid.

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Kovacic joined Chelsea from Madrid initially on loan in 2019 before signing a five-year contract to make the move permanent.

He has won a Champions League and Europa League with the club, as well as a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.

He has made 142 Premier League appearances so far, featuring 37 times in Chelsea’s turbulent 2022-23 campaign but making just 17 top-flight starts.

Why would Chelsea let Kovacic leave?

Analysis by Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey

Kovacic is about to enter the final year of his contract and there have been no serious conversations with Chelsea about a new deal. Chelsea are rebuilding their midfield around Enzo Fernandez and are likely to have significant squad turnover this summer.

The club’s new ownership, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, are keenly aware of the need to trim a bloated squad and also need to raise funds through sales after a massive spending spree in their first year in control. Finding a buyer for Kovacic would also fit with their stated goal of bringing the club’s wage bill down by offloading lucrative contracts sanctioned by previous owner Roman Abramovich.

How would he fit in at Man City?

Analysis by Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee

Kovacic was on City’s radar before he moved to Chelsea in 2018, although admittedly not enough to push through a deal. That was after City missed out on signing Jorginho, so it’s funny how these things work out.

Kovacic has qualities which are obviously valuable to City, namely being very good at retaining possession even when under pressure, and a good, forward-thinking passing range — they could do with some of that when it comes to Erling Haaland.

There is some uncertainty over City’s midfield going into next season, and this signing — especially at a relatively low price — would fit the bill perfectly.

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