Manchester City are reportedly keeping a close eye on Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic as a potential replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.
Kovacic, 28, has been a regular starter since a £40m move from Real Madrid in 2019, but major upheavals have left him in contention for a place in Chelsea’s top squad.
With nine substitute appearances among his 23 Premier League appearances this season, Kovacic’s future at Stamford Bridge hangs in the air as he prepares to enter the last year of his current contract.
While City are said to be serious about finding Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, that can’t stop them from making a move in favor of Kovacic, who they allegedly believe could easily take Gundogan’s place.
MAIN STORY – THE CITY COUNTS KOVACICH, HOW BELLINGHAM REMAINS A PRIORITY
According to GiveMeSport, City are keeping a close eye on Kovacic’s contract situation and, if not renewed, he could be a prime candidate for a Chelsea sack.
Additional reports from the Evening Standard add that Chelsea are planning a “overhaul” of their squad by June 30 to comply with Financial Fair Play rules.
This newspaper does not mention Kovacic as one of the likely exits, instead naming Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mason Mount.
City are reportedly not dissuaded by Dortmund’s asking price of around £125m for England’s super prospect Bellingham, but there has been no sign of the teenager signing on the fly with interest from the world’s biggest clubs.
ROUND
says Calciomercato. Naples celebrated the 21-year-old striker of Atlanta United and the winner of the World Cup with Argentina. Thiago Almada as their top transfer priority.
– According to “Sport”, Barcelona And Inter advocate a potential swap deal that would see the 26-year-old midfielder Frank Kessy to Italy in exchange for a 30-year-old Marcelo Brozovic.
– David de Gea is on the verge of signing a contract extension with Manchester Unitedaccording to Forbes.
according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Chelsea, United And Paris Saint Germain target Victor Osimhen it would take €150m (£132m) to break away from Napoli.
– According to TalkSPORT, Aston Villa renewed interest in the 22-year-old Arsenal player. Emil Smith Rowe after rejecting a £30 million offer in 2021.