Manchester City bound Mateo Kovacic to help Chelsea raid Brighton for new N’Golo Kante

Manchester City are close to getting their man with Mateo Kovacic set to undergo medical for Pep Gaurdiola’s side later today as the Champions League winners waste little time in augmenting their team.

The midfielder is being brought in as a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan who is close to joining Barcelona after guiding the Citizens to their Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup glory last season.

Kovacic who joined Chelsea from Real Madrid will bring an end to his five-year stay in west London, in that time, he helped the Blues win the Champions League, and Super Cup amongst other trophies.

His departure follows N’Golo Kante who will also move to Saudi Arabia when his contract expires at the end of this month.

Coincidentally, all three Chelsea midfielders who started when Chelsea won the Champions League in 2021 against Manchester City will not be at the club next season with Jorginho now at Arsenal, and Kante and Kovacic on their way out.

But the overhaul will allow Chelsea the space and funds to go all out for Brighton midfielder Moisés Caicedo who has been a target for the Blues and most top Premier League clubs.

Chelsea endured a challenging first year under new owners, finishing 12 and mising European football by a distance. They want to build a new team of exciting young players while moulding a project that essentially takes care of itself.

Premier League champions Manchester City are expected to pay an initial £25 million for Kovacic, with a further five million down the line based on achievable add-ons. Another midfielder who has been tipped to leave the club is Mason Mount who is strongly linked to Manchester United.

England international Mount, also has a year left on his current deal and a sale could then generate further funds to strengthen the new Chelsea team.

Chelsea have already confirmed the arrival of Christopher Nkunku from the German side RB Leipzig and are expected to sign more as the transfer window travels on.