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Manchester City line up Mateo Kovacic as Ilkay Gundogan replacement?

Man City line up Kovacic as Gundogan replacement?
© Reuters
Manchester City reportedly identify Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic as a potential replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.

Manchester City have reportedly identified Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic as a potential replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.

The Man City captain has featured regularly for Pep Guardiola's side this season, registering five goals and five assists in 41 competitive appearances.

However, his future at the Etihad Stadium is shrouded in uncertainty, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

As it stands, Gundogan will leave on a free transfer this summer, and Barcelona are growing confident of securing his signature.

Man City have already begun their search for a new midfielder, with Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham believed to be at the top of their list of targets.

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan celebrates scoring their second goal on February 12, 2023© Reuters

Signing Bellingham will be far from straightforward forward though, as Dortmund are set to hold out for a fee in the region of £125m.

The Citizens are also facing competition from Real Madrid, who could include Brahim Diaz in a potential deal as they look to beat Man City to Bellingham's signature.

The reigning Premier League champions are also targeting other midfield options, and according to Give Me Sport, they are interested in signing Kovacic from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Kovacic has been with the West London club since joining in 2018 on an initial loan spell from Real Madrid, before signing on a permanent deal a year later.

With his Chelsea contract set to expire in the summer of 2024, there is uncertainty surrounding his future with the club.

Mateo Kovacic during Chelsea training on September 13, 2022© Reuters

Chelsea are expected to make a decision on his future before he enters the final 12 months of his deal, and Man City are believed to be monitoring the situation carefully.

If the Blues decide against offering the Croatia international a new deal then they are likely to listen to offers in the summer transfer window.

Real Madrid are also interested in re-signing Kovacic, who made 108 appearances during his time with the Spanish giants.

Kovacic has featured regularly for Chelsea this season, contributing two goals and one assist in 33 competitive appearances.

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AC Milan's Brahim Diaz celebrates scoring their first goal with Theo Hernandez on February 14, 2023
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131


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