Man City target shock move for Chelsea star as meeting takes place in London

Mateo Kovacic’s representatives met with Manchester City officials on Friday to discuss a possible switch to the Etihad this summer.

The Chelsea midfielder has been in negotiations with the London club about extending his contract which ends in 2024, but those talks have stalled and Kovacic is now expected to leave this summer.

ManchesterWorld understands City are interested in the Croatian and met with his agent in London to discuss a possible move. At this stage, talks have been described as in their very early stages with no concrete offer yet to be made.

City are looking to add at least one midfielder this summer, possibly two depending on departures. Ilkay Gundogan is expected to leave the club in the off-season, while Bernardo Silva might depart if Pep Guardiola sanctions a move. There has also been speculation that Kalvin Phillips could move on.

City have targeted Jude Bellingham as their primary addition in the transfer window, and Kovacic is among the other midfielders that the Premier League champions have identified as a potential new signing.

The 28-year-old has played 33 times this season for Chelsea and has scored two goals. He’s among a number of players that the club are willing to let go given their extensive January recruitment, with Chelsea wary of breaking FFP rules. The likes of Kalidou Koulibaly,  Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling have also been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge.

Since joining Chelsea in 2018 from Real Madrid, Kovacic has played 217 times and helped the club win the Champions League in 2021.