Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic is in discussions to join Premier League champions Manchester City.
The 29-year-old has been a key player for the Blues since joining from Real Madrid on an initial loan deal in 2018 before joining on a permanent basis the following summer.
He has since racked up 221 appearances in all competitions, with 37 of those coming this season.
But with his contract at Stamford Bridge due to expire in 2024, talkSPORT understands that Chelsea are open to selling him with new manager Mauricio Pochettino looking to reshape his bloated squad.
The Blues need to recoup funds after splashing £600million on new players since Todd Boehly assumed control last year, while they will also miss their Champions League qualification revenue.
A move to Bayern Munich to reunite with former boss Thomas Tuchel has also been mooted.
But as per Fabrizio Romano, City are looking to keep him in England and are moving close to a deal for the Croatia international.
Kovacic and City are understood to have already held positive talks regarding personal terms.
Should the four-time Champions League winner join the Etihad Stadium outfit, he could be a direct replacement for club captain Ilkay Gundogan.
The German is set to become a free agent with his deal to expire at the end of June.
Arsenal has been reported to be a possible destination for the 32-year-old, though City are hoping he extends his seven-year stay.
Kovacic may not be the only midfielder to be shown the exit door in west London this summer.
Mason Mount, who also has just one year left on his contract, is expected to leave Chelsea with Manchester United emerging as favourites to complete a deal.
Meanwhile, N'Golo Kante is yet to agree a new contract as fears grow from fans that he will leaving in the coming weeks.
Chelsea are already looking at what midfielders they could sign, with Brighton's Moises Caicedo and Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte two known targets.
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