Mateo Kovacic is reportedly considered likely to leave Manchester City this summer as the club continue to reshape their midfield.
Sam Lee reports that the Croatia international is among the City players whose future looks uncertain before the new season.
Kovacic joined City from Chelsea in 2023 on a four-year deal, with Manchester City confirming his arrival as their first signing of that summer.
The midfielder has offered City experience, press resistance and control in possession. He also scored seven goals in 42 appearances last season, before Reuters reported that Achilles surgery ruled him out of the Club World Cup.
Read Man City has already covered how City’s midfield depth could shift around Pierce Charles and the wider squad reset, and Kovacic’s possible exit would add another senior decision to that summer list.
City Midfield Could Change Again
Kovacic’s likely departure would continue a wider change in City’s squad.
He turns 32 next season and has one year left on the four-year contract he signed in 2023. City must now decide whether to keep an experienced midfielder for depth or move before his value drops further.
The Croatian still has qualities City can use. He carries the ball through pressure and rarely looks rushed in tight midfield areas.
The issue is squad balance. City have already been looking to freshen key areas, and Enzo Maresca needs a group built around energy, availability and clearer roles.
A sale would remove another senior voice from the dressing room, but it could also create space for the next midfield phase.
For now, this is a likely-exit situation rather than a completed move. City’s stance will become clearer once formal interest arrives.
