Man City ‘showing interest in Chelsea duo’ and more transfer rumours

Manchester City have reportedly earmarked Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount as potential signings with Pep Guardiola looking to capitalise on contract uncertainty at Chelsea.

The Citizens are expected to undergo major changes to their first-team playing squad during the upcoming summer transfer window, and the midfield roles are an area to be addressed.

City’s top midfield target is Jude Bellingham, but the club face competition from Liverpool, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

As a result, Man City transfer chiefs continue to sound out other possible options to expand their target list ahead of the summer market, and a new report has drawn the club towards Premier League rivals Chelsea.

According to The Telegraph, one of the players on the Sky Blues’ radar is Chelsea ace Kovacic, who could be available for a cut-price fee in just a few months’ time.

The Croatian is approaching the final 12 months of his current contract, meaning Chelsea face a decision on whether to cash in during the summer or risk Kovacic running down his deal and leaving for free in 2024.

Guardiola and co could raid Chelsea again during the summer amid claims that they are also keeping tabs on Mount.

Like Kovacic, Mount’s deal expires in 2024, while his representatives and the club have supposedly agreed to shelve talks until the summer, with little progress made until this point. Manchester United and Liverpool are also believed to be in the hunt.

Elsewhere, reports from Football Insider indicate Barcelona will go all-out to sign City captain Ilkay Gundogan when his contract expires in the summer.

Gundogan, 32, was the first signing made by Pep Guardiola when he was appointed manager at the Premier League club in 2016.

Interest from Camp Nou has been mooted over the last few months, but these latest reports say discussions will soon be held between the relevant parties, as Xavi desperately wants the Germany midfielder to become part of his evolving squad. City have not, though, given up hope he will extend his agreement.