Man City 'face battle with Bayern Munich for Mateo Kovacic' and more transfer rumours

Manchester City will reportedly have to compete with Bayern Munich for the signing of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic in the summer transfer window.

According to the Evening Standard, Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel is keen on a reunion with the Croatian ace - with Kovacic part of the Chelsea side that won the Champions League under the German coach in 2021. Despite being a fan-favourite at Stamford Bridge, the 28-year-old has made just 15 Premier League starts this season.

He is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract and it is thought several clubs are interested in a move for him. However, the report claims Chelsea would prefer to sell the midfielder to a club outside England if possible. The former Real Madrid man has made 34 appearances in all competitions this term.

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City could potentially lose both Illkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva at the end of the campaign, with Spanish giants Barcelona thought to be interested in both midfielders. Should Pep Guardiola have to add reinforcements, a move for Kovacic could be on the cards for the Blues.

Elsewhere, SPORT have reported that Barcelona 'activated' the signing of a new right-back in the summer transfer window and could look to sign Joao Cancelo from City.

The Portuguese full-back, who is currently on loan at Bayern, has made more than 150 appearances for the Blues since joining from Juventus in 2019. However, after falling down the pecking order under Guardiola this season, he was allowed to leave the club on loan in January.

It remains to be seen if Cancelo will have a future at the Etihad at the end of the campaign, but if the reigning Premier League champions allow