Mateo Kovacic could well leave Chelsea in the summer transfer window but it appears the club has a plan in place.
As football.london reported on Thursday afternoon, Chelsea are prepared to let the Croatian midfielder leave the club this summer amid interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich, who are believed to be the front-runners for his signature. Kovacic has just over 12 months remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge and the Blues are not so keen on him entering the latter stages of his deal next season and risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.
The 29-year-old has been a mainstay in the first-team, when fit, in his four-and-a-half years at the club but his time looks to be at an end now. Chelsea, however, are already planning for life without the former Real Madrid man and football.london has been told about six midfield transfer targets ahead of the summer window.
READ MORE: Chelsea have already made summer transfer exit decision to alert Thomas Tuchel and Pep Guardiola
Romeo Lavia
The Southampton midfielder has massively impressed during his debut season down on the south coast despite the Saints looking as if they will be relegated. Lavia signed for Southampton for around £10million from Manchester City less than 12 months ago but is already being constantly linked with a move away from St. Mary's.
The 19-year-old is someone Chelsea really like and have extensively scouted this season. An energetic ball-winner with an eye for a pass. On paper, it looks like this makes perfect sense for Chelsea.
Edson Alvarez
Chelsea tried to sign the Ajax midfielder late on in the 2022 summer transfer window but saw their £43m offer turned down. However, an interest remains in the Mexico international, who has continued to be watched by the club over the course of the season.
A defensive-minded, ball-winning midfielder who is keen to make the move to England, the 25-year-old has just over two years remaining on his contract in Amsterdam, so Ajax are expected to be more open to selling this summer.
Youssouf Fofana
Fofana has really impressed for AS Monaco this season and is attracting interest from around Europe. The 24-year-old has just over a year remaining on his contract so the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool are looking to take advantage of the situation and the uncertainty around it.
football.london understands the Chelsea recruitment team, led by the likes of Joe Shields and Christopher Vivell, are really keen on Fofana and are considering making a move for the midfielder when the summer transfer window opens in July.
Manu Kone
The 21-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is about to enter the final two years of his contract with the German club and there is growing uncertainty over his future. Another impressive season has seen Kone's name linked with clubs all around Europe and Chelsea are understood to have followed his progress and development closely over the past 12 months.
However, there are said to be a number of other top European clubs with a keen interest in the young Frenchman, so there is expected to be plenty of competition for his signature. Any move from Chelsea would need to be early on to try and gain a head-start on other interested parties.
Moises Caicedo
The 21-year-old Brighton star was the subject of immense interest from both Chelsea and Arsenal during the January transfer window but the Seagulls were adamant he was not for sale and they kept him until the summer at the very least. Caicedo put pen-to-paper on a contract extension at the Amex Stadium at the beginning of March but speculation over his future continues to fly around.
Chelsea retain an interest in the Ecuadorian ahead of the summer window and could look to make a move for him. The Blues, however, are well aware that he won't come cheap, so other targets could be more viable.
Declan Rice
Arsenal are now favourites to sign long-term Chelsea target Rice, but football.london has been told not to rule the Blues out when it comes to signing the West Ham United midfielder. There's a school of thought that the Hammers may be more open to selling the England international in the summer with the midfielder not willing to agree on new terms at the London Stadium.
Rice is desperate to play Champions League football so the lure of the European competition at the Emirates Stadium could sway the former Chelsea academy product. Chelsea, though, are still interested in the West Ham midfielder.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea's £35m maverick transfer is perfect Raheem Sterling solution for Mauricio Pochettino
Frank Lampard gives Chelsea 14-year-old huge chance to impress Mauricio Pochettino amid talks
Man United Qatar takeover paves way for Chelsea to sign Neymar to begin Mauricio Pochettino era
What Chelsea fans have planned for Thiago Silva in special tribute during Nottingham Forest clash
Transfer news LIVE: Latest news, views and rumours from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham
