From reliable sources: Mateo Kovacic moves closer to Manchester City switch | OneFootball

The possibility of Mateo Kovacic joining Manchester City took a significant step forward this week, with reports highlighting developments in the situation.

Pep Guardiola and those within the Etihad Stadium have long been keen admirers of the now 29 year-old’s talents in the centre of the park, and with there being a need for recruitment in that position this summer, the club have turned towards the Croatian once more.

Kovacic will be entering into his final year of contract at Stamford Bridge next season, and with Chelsea looking to offload this summer, interest from Manchester City is likely to be entertained by those in charge of transfer business.

On Wednesday, a flurry of reports have highlighted a significant development in the process to bring Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City, with talks now having taken place over the possibility of a transfer being finalised in the coming weeks.

With details provided from a number of reliable sources, here is the very latest on this story!

What was the first development?

The ever-reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano was the first to report on Manchester City and Mateo Kovacic on Wednesday afternoon, after it was stated that the Premier League champions had opened ‘concrete talks’ to sign the Croatia international this summer.

Romano continued by stating that ‘positive discussions’ had now taken place between Manchester City and the player’s camp over the last few days regarding the subject of personal terms.

With Chelsea ‘open’ to selling Kovacic as part of a ‘midfield revolution’ this summer, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that talks would be continuing ‘soon’.

What is Mateo Kovacic’s view on Manchester City interest?

Despite interest from a number of major players in European football, including from the recently-crowned Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, the former Real Madrid midfielder WANTS to join Manchester City – as per The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

What role have Chelsea themselves played so far?

Officials at Stamford Bridge are well in the loop on the situation, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting that Chelsea have in fact granted Manchester City permission to speak to Mateo Kovacic ahead of a potential move this summer.

What is the feeling around the negotiations?

The expectation now is that a deal WILL be completed between Manchester City, Chelsea, and Mateo Kovacic’s camp to bring the central midfielder to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the 2023/24 season – as per The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg.

That is a stance also offered by the Evening Standard, who not only stress that the players wants to make the switch to the Premier League champions, but that he is now also expected to do so.

How much would Manchester City need to pay to sign Mateo Kovacic?

While there has been little in the way of suggestions over what Manchester City could be willing to offer Chelsea for their midfield star, one report has suggested that the London club would demand from their Premier League rivals.

According to The Times, Chelsea are ‘likely’ to ask Manchester City for a transfer fee between the £30 million boundary, and £40 million.

However, as highlighted by David Ornstein in The Athletic’s report, a transfer fee is yet to be discussed between Manchester City and Chelsea.

Nevertheless, as stated by Jacob Steinberg, the two clubs are ‘unlikely’ to have problems when it comes to agreeing a fee for the midfielder.

Where do Manchester City see Mateo Kovacic in their starting line-up?

In an interesting detail provided by The Mail’s Jack Gaughan, Mateo Kovacic is viewed by those inside the Etihad Stadium as a ‘versatile’ midfielder capable of playing both the holding midfield position (No. 6), and the more traditional central role (No. 8).