Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, with the midfielder reportedly set to cost around £25.5million (€30million).
City have been eyeing midfield reinforcements for some time ahead of the summer transfer window, with uncertainty over the futures of both Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva. Gundogan is in talks over a new contract but will leave the club as a free agent when his current deal expires on July 1, while Silva is weighing up his options amid interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Kovacic was identified early as a sensible option with Premier League and European experience, and the Croatian has long been expected to leave Chelsea as they revamp their own squad. Talks have been ongoing for some time, and now Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reports that a deal is close.
City are expected to pay around €30million for the midfielder, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge. The report states that the deal should be complete by the end of the week.
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Elsewhere, The Daily Mail reports that Kyle Walker would prefer to sign a new contract at City than move to German outfit Bayern Munich.
The 33-year-old has grown frustrated at being left out of some of this season's biggest games, most notably the Champions League final. Thomas Tuchel's side were said to be discussing a £15million move for the right-back, with reports over the weekend suggesting it was close to completion.
However, Walker is keen to remain at the Etihad and fight for his place, with contract talks now open. The England international is in the final 12 months of his current deal.
