Manchester City are allegedly becoming increasingly confident regarding agreeing a deal for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Pep Guardiola's side are currently bidding to lift the FA Cup and Champions League having already won this season's Premier League title.
Achieving the treble would rank as one of Guardiola's greatest achievements as a manager, aided by a squad possessing depth in the majority of each area of the pitch.
Nevertheless, despite already being blessed with widespread competition within the group, it would come as a surprise if Guardiola did not bring in a number of fresh faces.
That includes in central midfield despite key man Ilkay Gundogan now said to be having second thoughts over leaving the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer.
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Since it has become apparent that Kovacic will almost certainly leave Chelsea this summer, City have been one of the clubs that have been frequently linked with the player.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, the relevant parties have been speaking about Kovacic's future since the beginning of the week.
Romano says that "concrete talks" have been opened with the view of negotiating the transfer of the Croatia international over the coming weeks.
Kovacic has contributed six goals and 15 assists in 221 appearances for Chelsea, but his influence has waned during the club's dismal 2022-23 campaign.
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Owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are reluctant to hand Kovacic - who recently turned 29 years of age - a new contract when the club are in desperate need of raising funds and lowering the wage bill.
The report claims that City have discussed personal terms with Kovacic's camp, the assumption being that an agreement will be reached in due course.
City settling on a transfer fee with Chelsea may take more time, yet City are aware that Chelsea want to oversee as many exits as possible before June 30, the final day for business to be included in this season's accounts.
Chelsea are already being linked with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who is regarded as an ideal player to work alongside Enzo Fernandez in the engine room.
Darren Plant
