Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester City at the end of the season.
However, a report from football.london claims that Chelsea are unwilling to let Mateo Kovacic leave during the summer transfer window. The Croatian international is a target for Premier League champions Manchester City.
There have been rumours that the 28-year-old midfielder could look to leave the club at the end of the season. It remains to be seen whether the situation is resolved soon. Kovacic has been a key player for Chelsea. And his departure will weaken them severely. Chelsea could lose N’Golo Kante at the end of the season as well. The Frenchman will be a free agent in the summer.
The Blues have already sold Jorginho to Arsenal during the January transfer window. And they will be left needing multiple midfield reinforcements in the summer. It remains to be seen whether Graham Potter is prepared to sanction the departure of the Croatian international.
Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez for a club-record fee during the January transfer window. But they will have to bring in a quality partner for him at the end of the season, especially if Kovacic leaves. Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia is reportedly on their transfer radar.
The Blues are currently lacking in creativity from the midfield. And the departure of Kovacic would weaken them further. The 28-year-old is an expert when it comes to dribbling his way past players in the middle of the park and driving the team forward.
Losing a player of his calibre, especially to a direct rival, would be a devastating blow. Chelsea will be hoping to challenge for the Premier League title in the coming seasons and they cannot afford to weaken their squad and strengthen arrival directly.
It will be interesting to see if Manchester City come forward with a lucrative offer for the 28-year-old in the coming months. But even if they do, Chelsea will unlikely entertain offers as they do not want to sell a player who has been a leader in the dressing room.
The Premier League giants are set to lose a key player in Ilkay Gundogan at the end of the season. The German midfielder will be a free agent in the summer and is unlikely to sign a contract extension with the club. Guardiola will have to replace him adequately and the Chelsea star seems like a superb option.
