Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea as Pep Guardiola edges nearer in the direction of finalising his first signing of the summer time. Reports counsel the Premier League champions are set to finish a deal to seize the Croatia worldwide after agreeing private phrases with the midfielder, as Guardiola seems to safe a alternative for his or her FA Cup hero Ilkay Gundogan as his future seems unsure.

Kovacic is ready to convey an finish to his four-year spell with the west London membership after Mauricio Pochettino made it clear he was completely happy for the midfielder to depart. He is more likely to be part of Joao Felix and Denis Zakaria in heading for the Stamford Bridge exit.

The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid ace has been a key participant for Chelsea after making 221 appearances for the membership however, because it stands, he'll enter the ultimate 12 months of his contract subsequent month with no renewal on the desk.

City are actually understood to have 'agreed private phrases' with the Croatian and are 'assured' of sealing the transfer for the 29-year-old, report talkSPORT. Talks happened between the participant's representatives and City officers this week after Chelsea granted him permission to debate a transfer.

A charge has not but been agreed however it isn't anticipated to be a stumbling block. Chelsea wish to herald a minimum of £30m for the midfielder, who arrived in a £40m deal from Real Madrid in July 2019 after a profitable mortgage spell.

According to Sky Sports, Guardiola is a long-term admirer of his capacity and now seems set to get his man, with Kovacic main the exodus from Chelsea this summer time because the Blues look to trim their bloated squad to ease considerations over Financial Fair Play.

He is considered a like-for-like potential alternative for Ilkay Gundogan, who continues to be pondering his future with lower than a month remaining on his deal.

The German midfielder scored each targets to assist City win the FA Cup after a 2-1 win in opposition to Manchester United at Wembley and addressed his future after the sport, revealing he's but to make a last choice over his subsequent transfer.

"To be honest I don’t need these kind of days to feel appreciated and to feel special in this club," he instructed BBC Sport.

"I know that, that is why I am here already seven years with all the ups and downs I’ve had so far. Nothing is decided yet so we’re gonna see what’s going to happen."

Barcelona and AC Milan are reportedly concerned with providing the 32-year-old a profitable contract as his present deal expires on June 30.

But after scoring 11 targets and offering six extra for his team-mates this season, Guardiola would detest to lose one in every of his key squad members.