Mateo Kovacic would only get his favourite shirt number upon signing for Manchester City if Ilkay Gundogan left the club.
The season is not yet over for City as they have an FA Cup and Champions League final to come over the next eight days which will determine if they can claim an historic treble. But that doesn't stop the rumours growing ahead of the impending transfer window.
It was a hectic summer last year as Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Manuel Akanji, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez and Stefan Ortega all arrived while Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho and Oleksandr Zinchenko said goodbye. It's likely to be a quieter window this time around as Pep Guardiola could return to his usual policy of gradual additions rather than sweeping changes.
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While the potential departures of Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo may call for reinforcements in defence, the only position that absolutely needs strengthening is in midfield. City's engine room is ageing with the majority in their late 20s or 30s.
Additionally, Bernardo Silva may still be keen on returning to mainland Europe, Phillips has struggled since his move and Gundogan's future remains uncertain. The captain's contract expires at the end of the month and it's not clear what his next step will be.
Guardiola is desperate to keep hold of one of his most trusted players but it's feeling increasingly likely he will depart for a new challenge. Losing the German, who has once again been so integral to City's title win, would be a massive blow and would require a big replacement.
The possibility of Gundogan's departure has led to speculation that the Blues are interested in Kovacic. Football.London reports that the Croatian "now looks set to have made his last appearance" for Chelsea and that City are in discussions to sign the midfielder. The 29-year-old has a year remaining on his contract and could be available on the cheaper side given his age and that new manager Mauricio Pochettino appears to be wanting a big clear-out.
Kovacic is a player in a similar mould to Gundogan and though his age doesn't help make City's midfield younger he would be a good replacement. It's not just his role the Champions League winner would take but, if he got his way, his shirt number as well.
Kovacic has worn nine numbers during his illustrious career for club and country but the one he has favoured the most is No.8. He has worn it constantly for Croatia since 2015, at his first club Dinamo Zagreb and got his hands on it in his fifth season at Chelsea following the departure of Ross Barkley.
Gundogan has worn the number at City since he arrived in 2016 with great distinction so the only way Kovacic would get it at City is if the German does depart and leaves it free. The other numbers Kovacic has worn during his career - 17, 23, 16, 10, 20, 4, 14 - are all taken as well apart from the No.29 he wore upon first joining Inter.
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