Manchester City could soon face another tug-of-war with the Saudi Pro League this time over midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
The Croatian international, who joined the Former Premier League champions from Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth £25 million, is now being eyed by clubs in the Middle East.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Saudi Arabian clubs have recently approached Kovacic with potential offers. In a post shared on his official X account, Romano revealed:
“Mateo Kovacić has received approached from Saudi Pro League in the recent weeks but he’s focused on Man City. Man City management and staff also keen on keeping Kovacić as part of Pep Guardiola’s squad.”
Kovacic, 30, was brought in as a direct replacement for former club captain Ilkay Gundogan, who left for Barcelona on a free transfer before returning last summer.
Though it took him a while to adjust to Guardiola’s demanding system, his recent performances suggest he’s finding his rhythm, especially towards the end of last season.
Despite his growing influence in midfield, rumours of a potential move are beginning to swirl. Softfootball understands that the Croatian may be tempted by a summer move to Saudi Arabia, raising questions about how long he’ll stay in Manchester; however, if the club desires to move anybody on it would be English winger Jack Grealish.
Kovacic already has notable moments with Manchester City; his first goal for the Club came in Saudi Arabia itself, during City’s historic FIFA Club World Cup triumph. He also played in the UEFA Super Cup win over Sevilla in Athens, making significant contributions to the club’s silverware haul.
Al Nassr were particularly interested in the midfielder around January 2024, when Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly keen to reunite with his former Real Madrid teammate. However, that interest did not materialise into something meaningful, as there were no formal proposals from Al Nassr for Kovacic at that time.
For now, however, Kovacic seems committed to life at the Etihad. But with Saudi clubs circling and the transfer window still open, the story might not be over just yet.
