In a notable transfer move, Mateo Kovacic has finalized his switch from Chelsea to Manchester City for a potential fee of up to £30 million. The Croatian midfielder has committed to a four-year contract with Pep Guardiola’s team.
Kovacic’s departure marks the end of his five-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, where he initially arrived on loan from Real Madrid in 2018.
During his time with the Blues, the 29-year-old showcased his talents in 221 appearances and collected an impressive array of silverware, including the Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.
The arrival of Kovacic at Manchester City comes in the wake of Ilkay Gundogan’s departure on a free transfer to Barcelona.
Consequently, Kovacic becomes the second central midfielder to leave Chelsea, following N’Golo Kante’s move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the transfer, Kovacic stated, “This is an incredible opportunity for me, and I’m eagerly anticipating joining City.
Anyone who has witnessed Pep’s team in action knows their exceptional quality – they are, in my opinion, the finest in the world.
Their trophy haul speaks for itself, but their style of play is also unmatched.”
He added, “Being a part of this squad is truly a dream come true for any footballer.
I recognize that I still have much to learn and develop, and I’m thrilled about the prospect of becoming a better player under Pep’s guidance.”
Kovacic revealed his immediate plans, saying, “For now, I intend to rest for a few weeks before returning to Manchester to prepare for the upcoming season.
My objective is to contribute to the team’s continued success and secure further trophies for this club.”
As Chelsea continues to revamp their squad, reports suggest that they will receive approximately £25 million for Kovacic’s transfer.
The Blues are expected to part ways with other players in the near future, including Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Kai Havertz.
Follow London Insider on Google News