From Fabrizio Romano: Manchester City agree personal terms with Chelsea midfielder

Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Mateo Kovacic ahead of planned negotiations with Chelsea to sign the midfielder.

The 29 year-old, who has spent five-years at Stamford Bridge after moving to West London from Real Madrid, has one-year remaining on his Chelsea contract and is one of several first-team stars linked with an exit away from the club this summer.

Kovacic is one of four Chelsea players subject to transfer interest, with Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Kai Havertz all linked with departures from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are due to be in the market for midfield reinforcements, as both Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva face an uncertain future with the Sky Blues.

Bernardo Silva is subject to growing interest from Paris Saint-Germain and club captain Gundogan is yet to agree a new deal with Manchester City, amid interest from La Liga champions Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Kalvin Phillips, who signed from Leeds United for £42 million last year, has made just four starts for Manchester City this season and is on the radar of both Newcastle and Aston Villa.

City’s pursuit of Kovacic, who looks increasingly likely to become the Blues’ first signing of the summer, has taken a positive step according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports that Manchester City have now agreed personal terms with the midfielder.

The Croatian ‘wants’ to move to the Etihad Stadium and having agreed terms with the player, Manchester City’s attention will now turn to negotiations with Chelsea.

Romano reports that Chelsea are ‘open’ to selling the 29 year-old and talks surrounding a transfer fee between the two clubs will take place after this weekend’s Champions League Final.

Manchester City face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League Final on Saturday in Istanbul, with the Sky Blues looking to win the trophy for the first time, after suffering an agonising 1-0 loss to Chelsea two years ago.

Pep Guardiola’s team are looking to complete the treble, having already won both the Premier League and FA Cup this season.

Kovacic has made 37 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions this campaign and featured in defeats against City in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

The 29 year-old featured in 27 Premier League matches, scoring one goal and assisting on two occasions.