Manchester City have made their first move in the 2023 summer transfer window, securing a deal for Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic.
The 29-year-old Croatian midfielder is set to join Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side, with the clubs agreeing on a fee of £30m. This fee breaks down to a guaranteed £25m, with an additional £5m in performance-related add-ons.
Kovacic, who is entering the final year of his contract with Chelsea, was not expected to command a high transfer fee. His move to the Etihad comes as Ilkay Gundogan is set to become a free agent at the end of June, making Kovacic a logical addition to the City squad.
Man City have agreed a fee with Chelsea for Mateo Kovacic, which is £25m + £5m in bonuses. Medical etc still to be done. (First reported by @FabrizioRomano)
— Jack Gaughan (@Jack_Gaughan) June 21, 2023
During his time at Chelsea, Kovacic has made 221 appearances and won four major trophies, including the Champions League in 2021. He initially joined Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid in 2018, before making the move permanent for £40m a year later.
In other news, Riyad Mahrez has denied rumours of a potential move away from Manchester City. The winger took to Twitter to dismiss claims that he either wanted a new contract or was looking to leave the club.
Meanwhile, Chelsea is reportedly looking at Brighton’s Moises Caicedo as a potential replacement for Kovacic. The Ecuador international is keen to move to Stamford Bridge, but Brighton is expected to demand a significant fee for him. Chelsea’s initial £60m bid was rejected a fortnight ago, and it remains to be seen whether the clubs can agree on terms.
As always, the summer transfer window promises to be a time of significant change and excitement for clubs and fans alike. Stay tuned for more updates as they happen.
