Mateo Kovacic is ‘likely to leave’ Chelsea this summer with Manchester United and Manchester City among the clubs interested in the midfielder.
Kovacic will enter the final 12 months of his contract at Chelsea this summer and is expected to move on as the west Londoners look to reduce a bloated squad.
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Chelsea are under pressure to make substantial sales following the club’s record-breaking spend across the past two transfer windows, while the absence of European football next season means numbers need to be reduced.
Kovacic could become a casualty of the club’s need to sell with no agreement reached on a potential extension to his contract. Chelsea are reluctant to run the risk of losing the Croatia international on a free transfer in 2024 and The Guardian are reporting an exit is ‘likely’.
Thomas Tuchel is reportedly understood to be keen on a reunion with Kovacic at Bayern Munich, with the 29-year-old having been a central figure at Chelsea during the German’s reign at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City are also admirers and could target Kovacic as a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who is out of contract this summer and has been linked with Barcelona.
The report also states that Manchester United could rival Pep Guardiola’s side in the race for Kovacic as Erik ten Hag looks to improve his midfield options.
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