Manchester City has officially announced the signing of midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea. The treble winners have secured the 29-year-old on a four-year contract, strengthening their squad for the upcoming 2023-24 season. The transfer fee, as reported by ESPN, amounts to £25 million ($32m) with an additional £5 million ($6m) due in add-ons. Kovacic expressed his excitement about joining City, stating that he believes they are the best team in the world and that playing alongside their talented squad is a dream come true for any footballer.
Guardiola’s Pursuit of Midfield Reinforcement
City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has been actively seeking to bolster his midfield options. The club’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham was unsuccessful, as the young midfielder opted to join Real Madrid. Furthermore, the departure of captain Ilkay Gundogan, who completed a free transfer to Barcelona on Monday, created a pressing need for a new midfield presence. Kovacic’s versatility and experience at top-level clubs make him an excellent addition to City’s squad, according to the club’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain. The decision to bring Kovacic to City was an easy one, as he possesses the tactical and technical qualities they were searching for in a midfielder. City had been monitoring Kovacic for a considerable period of time and were consistently impressed by his performances.
Chelsea’s Squad Restructuring Continues
Kovacic’s departure from Chelsea is part of the club’s ongoing efforts to reshape their squad under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Croatian midfielder joins a growing list of high-profile players leaving the club. N’Golo Kante has already departed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad. Additionally, sources indicate that Arsenal have agreed to a £65 million ($83m) deal with Chelsea for forward Kai Havertz. The departures of Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, and Mason Mount are also likely to follow.
Chelsea had initially hoped to secure a deal closer to their asking price of £35 million ($44m) for Kovacic. However, in order to finalize the transfer before June 30 and comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, the club reduced their demands. The timing of the transfer was crucial for Chelsea, as it allowed them to ratify the deal within the first full tax year.
Manchester City’s acquisition of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea marks an important step in strengthening their midfield. Kovacic’s signing comes as a response to missed opportunities in the transfer market and the departure of their captain. Chelsea, on the other hand, continues to reshape their squad under new management, with several key players set to leave the club.
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