Man City 'interested' in Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic and more transfer rumours

Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, with the Croatian ace out of contract at Stamford Bridge next year.

According to the Telegraph, Blues manager Pep Guardiola is a 'big admirer' of the 28-year-old and is expected to make changes to his midfielder in the summer transfer window. It adds that City's main midfield target is Jude Bellingham, but the reigning Premier League champions face competition from Liverpool, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

With the futures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva uncertain, it is thought that Guardiola could attempt to sign more than one midfielder at the end of the season. Former Real Madrid man Kovacic could provide a relatively cheap option if he does not extend his stay with Chelsea.

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City reportedly showed interest in the Croatian midfielder in 2018, but he joined Chelsea, initially on loan, instead. Kovacic has made 207 appearances for the London club since signing from Los Blancos and has won the Champions League and Europa League.

Elsewhere, Football Insider have reported that Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is also a target for Guardiola's side - with a new left-back said to be a priority for the Blues.

City are long-term admirers of the 26-year-old England international and attempted to sign the defender in 2020. However, like Kovacic, he made the move to Stamford Bridge instead.

It states that he would tick a lot of boxes for City, and with summer arrival Sergio Gomez only viewed as a squad player, it appears the Blues are in need of reinforcements at full-back. Joao Cancelo left the Etihad on loan in January, with Bayern Munich able to make the