Manchester City are plotting a move for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic this summer. According to recent reports, the Citizens are interested in securing the services of the Croatian international during this summer transfer period. It is understood that Pep Guardiola is eager to strengthen his midfield options at the Etihad Stadium ahead of the new season and Kovacic fits the bill perfectly.
Some sources have recently claimed that Pep Guardiola’s side have enquired about the Croatian’s availability this summer after doubts over their attempts to sign Napoli’s Jorginho. The 24-year-old midfield enforcer was subject to limited first-team opportunities last season and had only made 21 appearances for the Galacticos in the league.
In a recent interview, Kovacic commented on his future and was quoted to have said, “I want to play more and the best thing is for me to leave Madrid,”
“I love football and being on the grass, I want the opportunity to be a starter on another team if I do not play … I’m not happy.”
It is believed that the Galacticos sensation has a £44m release clause in his current contract at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium which shouldn’t be a major stumbling block for the Citizens. Kovacic is currently representing the Croatian national team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia where his nation is set to face off against England in the semi-finals of the competition on Tuesday night.
The Sky Blues of Manchester managed to pull off a domestic double when they won the Premier League and the EFL Cup last season. However, Guardiola will be aware that he needs to strengthen his squad this summer in order to maintain his side’s dominance in English football.
The potential acquisition of Kovacic will undoubtedly bolster Guardiola’s midfield options ahead of the new season. Manchester City have an array of midfield talents which include Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, İlkay Gündoğan, Fabian Delph and Phil Foden competing for a place in the Citizens’ midfield. The addition of Kovacic will add more competition for places within Guardiola’s squad and improve their midfield options significantly going into the new campaign.
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At 24, the Croatian still has his prime years ahead of him which City should look to benefit from, in the next few years. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Kovacic and whether Guardiola is successful in convincing him to make a switch to the Etihad Stadium before the start of the new season.
