Manchester City have made an official £25 million offer to Chelsea for Mateo Kovacic, according to The Athletic.
City are working towards signing the 29-year-old as they prepare for a couple of departures in midfield.
Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave as a free agent when his contract expires later this month, while Bernardo Silva faces an uncertain future amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Arabia.
Having already reached an agreement on personal terms, Man City have now tabled a bid for Kovacic, who has only one year left on his deal.
Chelsea have shown no desire to offer him a contract extension and are expected to sanction a sale this summer.
Speaking while on international duty with Croatia, Kovacic hinted at a summer exit after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
“Everything is going towards the fact that, after five good years (at Chelsea), I will change,” Kovacic told Nacional (h/t football.london).
“But in football, anything can happen. I have one more year in contract with Chelsea.
“Last season was very bad. Right now, I am focused on Croatia and the Nations League.
“The summer is long – we will see what happens. Chelsea is phenomenal for me. I love the city and the fans love me. I have wonderful memories of Chelsea. We’ll see what happens.”
Following the conclusion of the Nations League on Sunday, Kovacic is set to be City’s first signing of the transfer window in the coming days as Pep Guardiola looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.
Kovacic’s international teammate and RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol could also be on the move to the Etihad Stadium with personal terms close to being agreed.
