Manchester City agree a transfer fee for first summer signing

The English and European champions are closing in on their first deal of the summer transfer window.

Manchester City have agreed to a deal with Chelsea worth up to £30 million to sign midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

The 29-year-old Croatia international is set to join for an initial fee of £25 million, with £5 million in potential add-ons. He accepted personal terms with Manchester City a fortnight ago. According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the add-on clause is based on the club’s potential title successes – not on the player’s performance levels.

Kovacic joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2019 for a reported €45 million fee. The Croatian was part of the squad that won the Champions League in 2021. He has played 221 games for the Blues, managing six goals and 15 assists.

Last season, Kovacic made 37 appearances for the club, playing a key role in midfield. His arrival may throw further doubt on Ilkay Gundogan’s future at the Etihad, with his contract about to expire. Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed FC Barcelona want to sign the German midfielder at the Puma Legends golf tournament on Monday.

EXCL: Mateo Kovacić joins Manchester City from Chelsea, fee agreed and done deal — here we go! 🚨🔵 #MCFC

Agreement between clubs just reached for £30m fee.

Personal terms agreed two weeks ago, Kovacić only wanted Man City.

Medicals in the next days.

New midfielder for Pep 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/cXU7ZDSKMf

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2023