Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic has been approached by clubs in the Saudi Pro League, the latest report has claimed.
The upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season will soon be underway, with City set to play their final friendly against Palermo on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola has been significantly backed this summer, as he was in the January transfer window, and he will hope to reclaim the title from Liverpool.
The Citizens have signed six players this window, and the number of arrivals could lead to exits of established players, including midfield veteran Kovacic.
However, Fabrizio Romano claims that the Croatian is fully focused on City despite Saudi interest, adding that the coaching staff at the club are keen for him to stay.
Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic pictured on August 24, 2024
Could Manchester City's midfield problem cost them?
Having won six of the past eight league titles on offer, it would be unwise to write off City's chances of finishing first next term.
One of the reasons Guardiola failed to win the league in 2024-25 was because of the absence talisman Rodri, who missed the majority of the season due to a serious knee injury.
While the Spaniard has returned and has participated in a full pre-season campaign so far, players can often take time to return to their best following lengthy layoffs.
Kovacic was at times used at the base of midfield by Guardiola when Rodri was absent, but he struggled to replicate the Ballon d'Or winner's impact on the first team.
The Croatian is arguably past his best given he is 31 years old, and City will still need a more capable replacement if he was to depart, though they may find it difficult to convince club's to sell their stars for a reasonable price so close to the beginning of the season.
Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic on April 27, 2025
Guardiola's midfield depth assessed
Tijjani Reijnders was brought to England from AC Milan for £46.5m, but while he is a capable number eight, he is relatively untested in deeper midfield roles.
The Dutchman is at least an energetic presence in the middle of the pitch, and he is likely to be a valuable contributor next term.
Nico Gonzalez was signed in the January transfer window, and he is able to play as a number six, though he has found it difficult to earn the trust of Guardiola.
Elsewhere, Ilkay Gundogan has considerable experience in deeper midfield roles, but he has struggled to deal with the pace of play in the Premier League as he has aged.
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