Kovacic set for Etihad exit
Mateo Kovacic has been informed he is surplus to requirements at Manchester City and has been given permission to find a new club this summer, sources have confirmed.
The 32-year-old has just twelve months remaining on his current contract at the Etihad, and the club are willing to let him go as they reshape the midfield.
Kovacic's 2025-26 campaign was wrecked by an ankle injury that limited him to just nine appearances across all competitions — a far cry from the reliable option he had been in his first two seasons since arriving from Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth £25m.
He has made 97 appearances in total for City.
World Cup reminder
Despite his domestic struggles, the Croatian midfielder has offered a timely reminder of his quality at the World Cup. After providing an assist against Ghana to help Croatia escape the group stage, Kovacic produced a determined display in the narrow defeat to Portugal.
With the scores level at 1-1, he drove past Joao Neves and saw a shot turned onto the post before Diogo Costa saved the rebound. He finished the game with three shots in a performance that underlined the ability that remains.
“A privilege to share the pitch and dressing room with these legends. Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, thank you for everything. We will miss you.”
Kovacic has not yet publicly stated his intentions for the summer, but with City expecting another midfielder to arrive following Elliot Anderson's £116m move from Nottingham Forest, space in the squad needs to be created.