Manchester City ‘granted permission to speak to Mateo Kovacic by Chelsea’

Chelsea have granted Manchester City permission to speak to Mateo Kovacic over a potential deal this summer, according to reports.

The midfielder looks set to move on from Stamford Bridge now the season has concluded and a number of clubs are believed to be interested in him.

Premier League champions City are among them, as reported by Mail Sport, and they look to be closing in on securing his signature with initial talks held.

The Athletic claim that dialogue over the switch has been exchanged between both clubs, although a fee is yet to be discussed.

Kovacic is said to be keen on joining City despite Bayern Munich eyeing him up. 

Mail Sport revealed earlier this month that City were maintaining a watching brief on the 29-year-old, who is, crucially, admired by Pep Guardiola. 

Just two games away from securing a remarkable treble, City will take stock of their squad over the coming days and weeks, with several outgoings likely.

But they will once again spend to strengthen their crop and Kovacic, named as one of the prime candidates to exit Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, is a target. 

Kovacic has one more year left to run on his deal. He has made 221 appearances in across all competitions since joining, initially on loan, from Real Madrid in 2018.

The move was made permanent a year later for a fee of around £45million.

Over his glittering five-year spell in west London, Kovacic has won the Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

More to follow.