Atlético de Madrid has fully entered the race to sign Mateo Kovacic, a midfielder from Manchester City. The "colchonero" club sees the Croatian as an ideal market opportunity to strengthen their squad. His possible return to LaLiga wouldn't be without intrigue, given his past at Real Madrid, the club he left for England in search of more playing time.
Kovacic on the Exit Ramp from Manchester City
The team led by Pep Guardiola is preparing a deep restructuring of its squad for the next season. Kovacic, 30 years old, is one of the names that could leave Etihad Stadium. Despite having a contract until 2027, the English club is open to negotiating his transfer for a figure close to 30 million euros.
Atlético de Madrid, aware of the situation, has started to move to sign him. The "colchonero" sports management knows Diego Pablo Simeone's desire to strengthen his midfield, and the Croatian is a market opportunity.
A Signing That Excites Simeone
According to CaughtOffside, Atlético has already made contact with both Kovacic's camp and Manchester City to explore the feasibility of the operation. The Croatian player would be delighted to join Simeone's project, despite having attractive offers from Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The midfielder is a profile that fits perfectly into the "rojiblanco" system. His experience in elite competitions, ability for associative play, and range in the midfield make him a top-level reinforcement for an Atlético seeking solidity.
Will the Move with City Be Repeated?
Atlético de Madrid already took Julián Álvarez from the English team last summer and now wants to repeat the move with Kovacic. However, the "colchonero" management, led by Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, will try to lower the 30 million price that City is asking for, seeking a more favorable negotiation.
Kovacic has proven his worth both at Real Madrid and in his current stage in England, where this season he has 30 matches, 5 goals, and one assist. His experience and quality could be key for Cholo Simeone's team in their attempt to compete at the highest level in all competitions.