Aston Villa and West Ham United could battle to sign Mateo Kovacic from Manchester City.placeholder image
Aston Villa and West Ham United could battle to sign Mateo Kovacic from Manchester City. | Getty Images
The latest Premier League transfer news involving Aston Villa, West Ham United and Manchester City.
Aston Villa are reportedly interested in making an ambitious swoop for a Manchester City midfielder this winter, but face competition from Premier League rivals West Ham United.
The Villans have managed to turn the tide after a terrible start to the season but there are still signs of inconsistency and struggles in front of goal, as displayed in the surprise 2-1 defeat at Go Ahead Eagles midweek. Financial troubles have denied Villa the opportunity to spend big in recent transfer windows but they may be tempted to dip their toes in the market in January nonetheless.
West Ham, 19th in the Premier League with just four points from nine matches, may also turn to the transfer market to try and correct their woes. Midfield has been a real problem area for the Hammers as they have been unable to compete in most games. Villa haven’t been as bad in the centre of the park but a string of injuries at the start of the campaign signalled a need for reinforcements.
Villa & West Ham target Man City star
With that in mind, Villa and West Ham are reportedly weighing up moving for Man City’s Mateo Kovacic this January. The 111-time Croatia international, signed from Chelsea for £30 million inclusive of add-ons in 2023, has played merely 37 minutes so far this season after recovering from a long-term Achilles tendon injury.
As much as Kovacic is likely to be integrated back into the City starting lineup at some stage, it will be difficult for the 31-year-old to lock down a regular spot in the XI, especially when Rodri returns to full fitness. It could be tempting to move away for more regular game time as a result.
That’s what publication Caught Offside is touting, with a recent report suggesting Kovacic could be on his way out of the Etihad Stadium as soon as the turn of the new year. It’s claimed Villa and West Ham are among several teams keen.
The report reads: “The experienced Croatia international is no longer playing regularly for City, and he could get the chance to play more at West Ham or Aston Villa. Those two clubs are among his suitors at the moment, according to my sources, though there’s a sense that AC Milan could be leading the race for his signature.”
Milan interest could prove problematic
Kovacic could reunite with fellow countryman Luka Modric at the San Siro. As the report suggests, AC Milan are currently ahead of Villa and West Ham in the pecking order, though nothing has been finalised just yet and there’s a long time until the window opens.
As there are now just 20 months left on Kovacic’s contract, City may be keen to cash in on the Croatian this winter. The Caught Offside report details that no talks have been held over a new deal and that City will be “receptive to offers” in January. As well as from Milan, Villa and West Ham may face competition from La Liga outfits Villarreal and Real Betis.
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