Gundogan replacement?: Manchester City agree terms with Chelsea star Kovacic

UEFA Champions League finalists Manchester City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic, with a possible summer transfer in tow. 

Chelsea are planning a summer clear-out with players like Reuben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to depart the club, and with Kovacic’s contract expected to run out in the summer of 2024, they could take the opportunity to move the Croatian on as well. 

This could be the last chance to claim some monetary reward for Kovacic’s sale, and with the player also keen on a move, the Blues could be tempted to let him leave, even if it is to a direct rival. 

Kovacic has struggled for game time in recent seasons despite being one of Chelsea’s better midfielders due to a number of niggling injuries. 

The Croatian only started 27 games for Chelsea in the 2022/23 campaign and was injured for 55 days of the season, leading many at the club to deem him unreliable. 

With Chelsea set to raid the summer transfer market for midfielders, Kovacic could become surplus to requirement at the club, while he could solve Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan problem with the German yet to agree to a new deal.