Transfer windows don't normally go like this for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is yet to welcome a major marquee signing following the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish in the two previous summers, while the City boss has also faced the difficulty of losing several important players as well.
Former captain Ilkay Gundogan departed upon the expiration of his contract to sign for Spanish juggernauts Barcelona while the goalscoring and creative talents of Riyad Mahrez have also departed for Saudi Arabia.
Both have left big holes in Guardiola's squad, and in an ideal world City would have liked to have kept hold of both players.
Mateo Kovacic is a worthy arrival and brings bags of ability and Premier League experience to the Etihad, but Guardiola is facing the very real prospect of having to work with a squad that is in worse shape this season than it was a year ago. READ MORE: What Pep Guardiola told James McAtee about his Man City future As happens every summer, Bernardo Silva continues to be linked with a move away from the club and Kyle Walker could also depart for Bayern Munich.