The permission to engage with Kovacic was granted by Chelsea to Manchester City last month, as revealed by The Athletic. The 29-year-old midfielder, formerly of Real Madrid, has expressed his desire to join the Premier League champions, and negotiations between the two clubs are now underway. In a year, Kovacic's Stamford Bridge contract will come to an end.
Pep Guardiola has been an admirer of Kovacic since his time at Madrid and is eager to finalize the deal. Kovacic initially joined Chelsea on loan from Madrid in 2019 before securing a permanent transfer with a five-year contract. During his time at Chelsea, he has won the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. In the Premier League, Kovacic has made 142 appearances, featuring 37 times in Chelsea's eventful 2022-23 campaign but starting in only 17 matches.
Chelsea's decision to let Kovacic leave can be attributed to several factors. As he enters the final year of his contract, there have been no substantial discussions regarding a new deal. Chelsea is undergoing a midfield reconstruction centered around Enzo Fernandez and is expected to experience significant squad changes this summer. The club's new ownership, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, is well aware of the need to trim the bloated squad and generate funds through player sales following their significant investments in their first year in charge. Offloading Kovacic would align with their objective of reducing the wage bill by getting rid of high-value contracts approved by previous owner Roman Abramovich.
In terms of fitting in at Manchester City, Kovacic has been on their radar before his move to Chelsea in 2018. While City missed out on signing Jorginho at the time, they are now considering Kovacic as a viable option. His ability to retain possession even under pressure and his forward-thinking passing range would be valuable assets for City, especially when combined with the attacking prowess of Erling Haaland. With some uncertainty surrounding City's midfield for the upcoming season, the acquisition of Kovacic, particularly at a relatively low price, would be an ideal addition to their squad.
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