---
title: "Man City exploring summer move for Mateo Kovacic"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/mateo-kovacic-transfer-news-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Manchester City News"
published: "2023-03-25T12:45:00Z"
modified: "2023-03-25T12:45:00Z"
---

# Man City exploring summer move for Mateo Kovacic

**[Manchester City](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/) are exploring a summer move for Chelsea midfielder [Mateo Kovacic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/mateo-kovacic/), according to a new report.**

### The Lowdown: Man City eyeing midfielder

Man City manager [Pep Guardiola](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/pep-guardiola/) appears keen to strengthen in the middle of the park during the summer transfer window, and that is largely due to the uncertainty surrounding Ilkay Gundogan’s future, amid [interest](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/ilkay-gundogan-transfer-news-rumours/) from the likes of Barcelona.

The City captain has his [contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilkay-gundogan/profil/spieler/53622) up at the end of the campaign, and the club have already started to look at potential replacements, with Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham being [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/premie-league-jude-bellingham-update-liverpool-real-madrid/) with a move to the Etihad Stadium.

Attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz is [also](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/premier-league-man-city-pep-guardiola-florian-wirtz/) on the Sky Blues’ radar, however the Bayer Leverkusen star is just 19-years-old, and Guardiola could target a more experienced player, who already possesses [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) experience.

### The Latest: Kovacic targeted

According to a [report](https://www.90min.com/posts/man-utd-eye-man-city-liverpool-target-mateo-kovacic-frenkie-de-jong-alternative) from 90min, Man City are looking at bringing in Kovacic in the summer transfer window, sensing an opportunity to prise the midfielder away from Chelsea as a result of his contract situation with the west London club.

The Croatia international’s current deal is set to [expire](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mateo-kovacic/profil/spieler/51471) at the end of next season, potentially opening the door for a move away from Stamford Bridge, with the possibility of staying in England now deemed realistic.

However, there may be stiff competition for the 28-year-old’s signature, as rivals Manchester United are said to be exploring a move, while Liverpool are also named as potential suitors.

### The Verdict: Get it done?

The central midfielder has a wealth of Premier League experience, making [134](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mateo-kovacic/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/51471) appearances in the top flight for Chelsea since arriving from Real Madrid, and he has continued to be an important player this season, [captaining](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mateo-kovacic/leistungsdaten/spieler/51471) the Blues and scoring in the recent 3-1 victory away at Leicester City.

Over the past year, the maestro, who has been [hailed](https://twitter.com/BobbyVincentFL/status/1611118471131152385?s=20) ‘fantastic’ by the media, has averaged [72.45](https://fbref.com/en/players/79c0821a/Mateo-Kovacic) passes attempted per 90, placing him in the 95th percentile compared to his positional peers, indicating he would be a good fit in a Guardiola system.

However, there are question marks about whether the Austria-born ace would be an upgrade on Gundogan, especially considering he has a relatively poor goal record for a midfielder, scoring just [six](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mateo-kovacic/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/51471) goals for Chelsea in 211 games.

Given that Kovacic will be 29 by the time next season begins, Man City should pursue a younger option to replace their seemingly outgoing captain, and Bellingham should instead be their main target.