Manchester City have made a formal offer of £25m to sign Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Chelsea granted permission for Kovacic to hold discussions with Manchester City over a move to the Premier League champions last month, as Pep Guardiola looks to add depth to his midfield options.
The Croatia international is keen on a move to the Etihad and City have now submitted an opening proposal of £25m for the 29-year-old, who has just a year to run on his contact at Chelsea.
Chelsea are willing to allow Kovacic to leave this summer as the west Londoners rebuild from a disappointing campaign. The Blues ended the Premier League season 12th – their lowest league finish since 1994/95 – to miss out on European qualification.
Sales are required before new manager Mauricio Pochettino can bring in reinforcements and Kovacic looks set to join an exodus of talent at Stamford Bridge.
Mason Mount and Kai Havertz are subject of approaches from Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, while N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly are all in negotiations over transfers to The Saudi Pro League.
