Manchester City sign midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea – ESPN

Manchester City have completed the signing of midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea on a four-year deal, the treble winners announced on Tuesday.

ESPN reported earlier this month that the two clubs had agreed a £25 million ($32 million) fee in advance for the 29-year-old with a further £5 million ($6 million) in add-ons, and the Croatia midfielder will now joining City’s squad ahead of the 2023–24 season.

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“This is a brilliant move for me and I can’t wait to get started at City,” Kovacic said in Man City’s announcement.

“Anyone who has seen this team under Pep knows how good they are – to me they are the best in the world. The trophies they have won are plain for all to see, but they are also the best football team there is.”

“Joining this team is really a dream for every footballer.”

He is here! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zuyfLJLTvb

— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 27, 2023

City boss Pep Guardiola was keen to bolster his midfield options after the club missed out on Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid this month, and with captain Ilkay Gundogan completing a free transfer to Barcelona on Monday.

“Mateo is an excellent footballer,” said City football director Txiki Begiristain. “He can play like a 6 or an 8, has a lot of experience at top clubs and he understands the Premier League.

“It was a very simple decision to bring him to City because he has the tactical and technical qualities that we look for in a midfielder.

“He’s someone we’ve followed for a long time and we’ve always been in awe when we watch him.”

Sources told ESPN earlier this month that Chelsea had hoped to agree a deal closer to their initial asking price of £35 million ($44 million) for Kovacic, but the west London club lowered their demands to close the deal for 30 to be completed in June. of the transfer was important for Chelsea as it enabled them to ratify the deal within the first full tax year, helping the club to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.

Kovacic is the latest high-profile player to leave Chelsea as the club look to reform their senior squad for new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Sources have also told ESPN that Arsenal have signed a £65 million ($83 million) deal with Chelsea to sign Kai Havertz, while Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy and Mason Mount are also likely to leave.

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