Guardiola axes surprise Man City star as CONTROVERSIAL transfer takes shape

Tom Weber

Updated: 17 Mar 2025 11:41 CDT
3 min read

Pep Guardiola, Man City, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester City are ready to axe Mateo Kovacic and talks over a surprising transfer are already taking place, according to a report.

The Croatian midfielder has been a mostly reliable servant to the Cityzens since joining the club from Chelsea in 2023. His move to Man City came as a surprise and his departure may now be equally surprising.

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Kovacic is still under contract until 2027, but he turns 31 in May and Pep Guardiola recognises that his team needs to get younger. Man City's January business showed a clear shift in transfer policy and this trend is set to continue in upcoming windows.

According to TEAMtalk, Man City will listen to offers for Kovacic this summer. The midfielder could join the likes of Kyle Walker, Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish on the way out of the Etihad.

Kovacic back to Madrid?

The report goes so far as to suggest that talks over a summer transfer are already taking place. Intriguingly, it is claimed that Atletico Madrid are showing a concrete interest in Kovacic.

It would be a controversial move as Kovacic previously spent four years on the books at Real Madrid, making over a century of appearances for Los Blancos. Thibaut Courtois, for example, knows all too well how vexed supporters can get when players cross the Madrid divide.

Atletico have already initiated contact with both Kovacic's camp and Man City to explore a summer transfer. However, he won't come cheap as the Premier League side are keen to recoup their original €30 million outlay.

The report acknowledges, though, that this fee is negotiable. It is further asserted that Man City already have a perfect replacement in mind. The reigning Premier League champions are keen to sign in-demand Ederson from Atalanta, who has become Guardiola's 'priority target.'