Manchester City have agreed to a deal with Chelsea for the signing of Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovačić where the blues' will initially pay £25 million, with an additional £5 million in bonuses.
After several weeks of rumours around price, the fee was initially reported by Sky Sport reporter Florian Plettenberg; Fabrizio Romano and Sam Lee have since confirmed the price. A medical is expected over the next few days, Jack Gaughan has confirmed.
Kovačić, 29, has just one year left on his current contract after spending the past five seasons with Chelsea, winning both a Champions League and Europa League trophy. Before playing in England, Kovačić spent three years at Real Madrid, winning three consecutive Champions Leagues.
Kovacic has been the most successful dribbler in the Premier League since joining in 2018, and trailed only Rodri in most ball carries per 90 last season.
The news broke just hours before Pol Ballus of The Athletic and Romano reported on Ilkay Gundogan’s likely arrival in Barcelona.
Kovačić’s arrival will be the first signing for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City since winning the treble. Kovačić’s Croatian teammate Joško Gvardiol has been identified as another serious target for the three time defending Premier League champions.
Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernandez joined Chelsea in January after a stellar World Cup campaign, and Brighton star Moises Caicedo has been heavily linked to West London for the past year.
After spending over £500 million in incoming transfers over the past year, Chelsea have begun to dispatch many of their Champions League winning squad. Kalidou Koulibaly (also), Edouard Mendy, and Hakim Ziyech are set to join N’Golo Kanté in the Saudi Pro League.
Kai Havertz is expected to join Arsenal according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, with Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic all expected to depart this summer, as well.
Written by: @IVIeehan
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