Manchester City on the Verge of Securing €40 Million Premier League Midfield Maestro
Treble winners in Premier League midfield Manchester City is on the verge of making their first signing of the 2023 summer transfer window, with a deal for Mateo Kovacic nearing completion.
This summer, Etihad Stadium authorities have focused a big portion of their transfer activity on the recruitment of midfielders, owing to the persistent uncertainty surrounding several of their first-team alternatives.
Despite a contract extension offer from Manchester City and offers from FC Barcelona and Premier League rivals Arsenal, Ilkay Gundogan is yet to decide his future.
Bernardo Silva is said to be interested in leaving the club again this summer, after falling out of love with the lifestyle on offer in the north-west of England two years ago.
If both players choose to leave and satisfactory offers are made to both themselves and the club, Manchester City will almost probably have to conduct business in the midfield department more than once.
Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic is one such option that the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup champions have decided to explore, with the Stamford Bridge club needing to sell this summer to fund their own business and comply with financial requirements.
According to ESPN’s James Olley, Manchester City are ‘on the verge’ of concluding a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic for roughly €40 million/£34.2 million.
The two clubs’ talks are said to have ‘progressed well’ in recent days, with a ‘broad agreement’ on the transfer price leading to’more detailed conversations’ about how the payments are handled.
According to ESPN, one of the few lingering questions is how much Manchester City will pay Chelsea up front. Despite these obstacles, it is expected that a deal for the 29-year-old would be concluded ‘within the next fortnight’.
City are also said to have a crush on West Ham United’s Declan Rice, although they will face stiff competition from Arsenal, who remain hot favourites to capture the England international.
The midfielder is likely to command a cost over £95 million this summer, and after their initial offer of £80 million was rejected on Thursday, Arsenal are poised to re-launch with a second offer in the £100 million range.
Despite Manchester City’s project and exciting offer for a player of Rice’s caliber, it is widely assumed that the player would prefer to remain in London, even if Etihad Stadium offers a higher financial proposal to those working on the deal within the London Stadium.
City are also looking into defensive possibilities, with transfer directors interested in a centre-back and a full-back, while a wide forward is also on the cards this summer, even though options are restricted.
