‘Hope this is true’, ‘Perfect Gundo replacement’ – Man City fans react as club negotiating with £30M midfielder over summer move

Manchester City fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relays a report that claims Mateo Kovacic’s representatives have officially entered talks with the club over a transfer from Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola could be looking to add one or two midfielders in the summer transfer window, with Ilkay Gundogan likely to leave the club after the expiry of his contract.

City are reportedly keen on Jude Bellingham, but he is going to cost around £125m. As Bellingham won’t be a straightforward signing for the club, so City are exploring other options.

Reports emerged last month that Kovacic ‘wants to leave’ Chelsea at the end of the season and it was claimed he had ‘offered himself to AC Milan’.

Manchester United were also credited with interest at the time, but it now appears City have swooped to get a deal done for the Croatia international.

According to Croatian outlet TV N1 Zagreb, Mateo Kovacic’s representatives have met with City in London ahead of a potential move to the Etihad.

N1 claim ‘Kovacic is a great desire of Pep Guardiola’ and given the 28-year-old is yet to agree a contract extension at Chelsea, will be available for a good price.

It’s claimed City would need to pay just £30m for the midfielder, who joined Chelsea from Real Madrid for £40m in 2019 having already spent a season on loan at Stamford Bridge.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

@edo_mazuri: “Pep at it again, £30M what a bargain and a perfect replacement for Ilkay”

@jadzein12: “Not bad. Great gundo replacement”

@rahul_madh: “This would be a good signing. When I rewatched the Chelsea (A) game this season, Kovacic’s positioning to constantly de-mark himself from KDB and progress the ball stood out. A proper player until it comes to the boxes.”

@dandy__man: “I’d do that instantly. Helps in all aspects of gameplay and is still only 28. Knows the league, sign him up!”

@CityzenAmerica: “Absolutely perfect replacement for Gundogan”

@JMC_OfficiaI: “Would be a brilliant back up if we could get him for £30 million”

@rodrigotsocials: “I hope this is true, £30M for Kova? No brainer.”

@manjittiwary: “Will be a beast under Pep. Perfect Gundo replacement”

@johnnydejesus_: “That would be a solid deal. Good squad player, good on the ball, experienced. (and assuming Gundo leaves), you could do a lot worse. I say go for it.”

@mcfc_macca: “30M no brainer very good player and will only improve massively under pep”