CHELSEA face a battle to keep Mateo Kovacic as Manchester City eye a shock transfer, according to reports.
The midfielder, 28, is out of contract at Stamford Bridge next year.
Kovacic is one of seven Blues players whose contracts expire in 2024 – while N’Golo Kante has just four months remaining.
And The Telegraph report the Croatian is a summer target for the reigning Premier League champions as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his current deal.
Pep Guardiola is said to be a huge fan of the former Real Madrid star and made a beeline to talk to him after City’s 1-0 win in January, while Raheem Sterling hailed Kovacic upon moving to West London.
The Spanish coach also wants to make changes to his midfield come the end of the season.
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Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan have both been linked with Barcelona while Kalvin Phillips has struggled to make any impact at the Etihad.
Jude Bellingham remains City’s No1 transfer priority.
However, they face strong competition from Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid for the Borussia Dortmund and England ace’s signature.
But Kovacic would present a far cheaper alternative and bring bags of experience should he make the switch.
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He won LaLiga and three Champions Leagues in a row at Real Madrid before adding a fourth in 2021 under Thomas Tuchel, as well as the Europa League, Club World Cup and Super Cup.
Kovacic – who initially joined on loan in 2018 before a permanent £40million deal a year later – also has runner-up medal from the FA Cup, League Cup and World Cup.
Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly splashed out more than £600m on transfers this season.
And with more players still linked despite the arrivals of Carney Chukwuemeka and £106m Enzo Fernandez, a turnover in midfield at Stamford Bridge is likely to keep the new arrivals happy – with Jorginho already out the door to join Arsenal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
