Manchester City are interested in signing Mateo Kovacic, with the Chelsea midfielder facing a big decision over his future this summer.
The Premier League champions are looking to bolster their midfield at the end of the season and have earmarked Kovacic as a potential target.
Clik here to view.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Croatia international is seen as a cheaper target to Jude Bellingham, who remains the priority but is also wanted by Liverpool and Real Madrid.
With the futures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva uncertain, City could try and sign both players, with Kovacic first on the club’s radar in 2018.
They battled Chelsea for his signature but lost out after the Blues signed the midfielder on loan from Real Madrid before making the deal permanent the following year.
But City have always kept tabs on the 28-year-old and, with his contract expiring in 2024, they could pounce now.
Kovacic is one of several players at Stamford Bridge who could leave this summer as a result of Chelsea’s bloated squad that boasts 31 people.
Jorginho was allowed to leave for Arsenal while a new contract is in the pipeline for N’Golo Kante, and Enzo Fernandez was signed in January for a British record £107million.
Most read in Football
Clik here to view.
Chelsea’s owners want their players to commit to two years or more and those with contracts with less time are facing uncertain futures.
Liverpool are keen on signing Mason Mount, who will also have just one year left on his deal in the summer, while AC Milan are the favourites to snap up Ruben Loftus-Cheek as the Blues prepare a fire sale to reduce the number of players in the squad.
Hakim Ziyech almost looks certain to leave after being an email away from joining Paris Saint-Germain in January, while the likes of Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Conor Gallagher face big decisions.
Clik here to view.
As Kovacic enters the final 12 months of his contract, his future remains one of the most immediate concerns while City see the player as a top professional with Premier League experience who could help plug the gap immediately.
But allowing the former Inter Milan star to join a Premier League rival would be damaging for a Chelsea side that harbours dreams of reaching their level domestically, while Kovacic has been a fan favourite during his last few years at the club.
City’s dream scenario would be to sign both Bellingham and Kovacic, though it would rely on whether the midfielder signs a new contract at Chelsea or not.