From Turkey: Jose Mourinho ‘requests’ signing of four-time Champions League winner from Manchester City

Fenerbahce have renewed their interest in Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic at the request of manager Jose Mourinho.

The 30-year-old is preparing to embark on his second campaign at the Etihad Stadium, with Manchester City beginning their Premier League title defence against Kovacic’s former club this weekend, when Pep Guardiola’s side visit Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

The Croatian international featured 47 times for Manchester City last season, having swapped west London for east Manchester in a £25 million deal last summer.

Kovacic won the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his maiden campaign with Manchester City, and also started Saturday’s FA Community Shield win over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

The midfielder joined Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the United States following Croatia’s elimination from the European Championship, and is contracted at the Sky Blues until 2027.

Kovacic scored his first Manchester City goal during the FIFA Club World Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia last December, and also scored against Luton Town at both Kenilworth Road and the Etihad Stadium.

The former Real Madrid midfielder has been linked with a possible exit from Manchester City this summer however, despite Guardiola contending with a possible shortage of midfield options ahead of the start of the new season.

Sport Witness relay claims from Turkey, where Jose Mourinho has reportedly personally requested that Fenerbahce move to sign the 30-year-old before the close of the transfer window.

Fenerbahce officials are claimed to be planning to travel to England to discuss a possible deal, with the Turkish outfit ‘hopeful’ of ‘convincing’ the Croatian midfielder.

Manchester City are set to look to sign another midfielder this summer, and are having to contend with Oscar Bobb suffering a long-term injury in training, and the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid.