Manchester City launch €25 million first approach for Chelsea star

Premier League champions Manchester City have launched a first approach of €25 million for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, as per reports.

The Croatia international midfielder is expected to be the first arrival at the Etihad Stadium this summer, as officials within the club prioritise the strengthening of midfield roles within Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Jude Bellingham had been initially identified as Manchester City’s priority midfield target for the 2023 summer transfer window, however were stumped by Real Madrid – who announced the England international’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund last week.

Since then, City transfer chiefs have been forced to look elsewhere, and in the last few weeks have prioritised the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, after the Croatian was granted permission by his employers to speak with last season’s historic treble winners.

Now, it is reported that a deal to take the 29-year-old to the Etihad Stadium is in it’s ‘final stages’, despite there remaining differences between transfer fee valuations from the perspectives of both clubs.

That is according to the information of Fabrizio Romano, who also states that Manchester City have made their first approach worth €25 million for Kovacic, with Chelsea wanting at least €30 million.

As previously reported, Manchester City already have personal terms 100% agreed with the midfielder, and according to Romano, this agreement could only change if Etihad officials decide to enter the race for West Ham’s Declan Rice deal – where Arsenal remain favourites.

In an additional report, it has been stated that Manchester City hope to complete the deal to have Kovacic join them in pre-season training – that according to Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard.

Elsewhere, City are expecting to understand the final decision made by their captain Ilkay Gundogan on his future, as the Germany international’s contract at the Etihad Stadium expires at the end of this month.

Gundogan is understood to be weighing up three options ahead of the new season: An extended deal with Manchester City, a proposal from FC Barcelona, and an offer from Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Despite a lucrative offer being made by Saudi Arabia, and the Pro League’s best attempts to lure the 32-year-old to the middle-east, Ilkay Gundogan will not be swapping European football for the financially-incentivised project underway.