Manchester City line up Jude Bellingham and Mateo Kovacic for double summer swoop - Paper Round

City target Kovacic as Chelsea face multiple departures The Telegraph reports that Mateo Kovacic is a target for Manchester City, with his contract expiring in 2024. While Jude Bellingham is the priority target, there is competition to sign the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, and it may be that a number of midfielders are also leaving City, opening up the possibility for more than one arrival.

Ad “Mateo Kovačić has attracted the interest of Manchester City with the midfielder facing a big decision over his Chelsea future,” the paper reports. TransfersReal Madrid target Pulisic as Hazard replacement — Paper Round25/02/2023 AT 06:32 “Midfielder Kovačić is one of a number of players whose current contract runs until 2024 and Chelsea are determined to avoid a scenario in which they all enter the final 12 months of their deals.

“But Chelsea now have Kovačić, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, César Azpilicueta and Silva all approaching the final year of their contracts. “The situation is understood to have alerted City, whose manager Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of Kovačić and is expected to make changes to his midfield in the summer.

“City’s top midfield target is Jude Bellingham, but the club face competition from Liverpool, Real Madrid and Chelsea. The futures of İlkay Gündoğan, who is wanted by Barcelona, and Bernardo Silva are uncertain, while it remains to be seen what happens to Kalvin Phillips, who has made little impact since joining from Leeds United.” Juventus may make fresh Di Maria offer After signing Angel Di Maria on a one-year contract from Paris Saint-Germain in the season, Juventus could offer the Argentine midfielder fresh, but reduced, terms to extend his stay,