Atlético de Madrid continues planning its squad for the upcoming season, and Simeone has set his sights on a familiar face from LaLiga. It's Mateo Kovacic, current midfielder for Manchester City and former Real Madrid player, who might be looking for a new adventure.
Kovacic, the Signing That Excites Simeone
The midfield is one of the positions that Atlético de Madrid wants to strengthen in the summer. The possible departure of Koke means Simeone urgently needs a new partner for Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo De Paul.
In this context, Kovacic's situation at Manchester City has sparked interest from the red and white team. The Croatian joined the English team two seasons ago for 33 million euros, but he hasn't fully established himself in Guardiola's scheme. With the citizen team preparing a restructuring of its squad, Atlético sees a golden opportunity to sign him.
A Viable Operation for Atlético de Madrid
Signing Kovacic wouldn't pose an economic problem for Atlético. According to English sources, Manchester City would be willing to sell him for a figure close to 30 million euros. An amount very similar to what they paid for him and to his current market value (28 million, according to Transfermarkt).
However, the arrival of the Croatian will also depend on the departures made by the colchonero team. Not only does Koke's possible exit influence the operation. The future of Conor Gallagher, another player who might leave the club after an irregular season, will also be key to freeing up space and budget for the signing.
Kovacic, Motivated to Return to Spain
One of the factors playing in Atlético's favor is Kovacic's desire to return to Madrid. Although he didn't have the expected prominence during his time with Madrid, the Croatian midfielder showcased his talent and matured as a footballer during his stint at Chelsea. Now, at 29 years old, it could be the perfect time to take on a new challenge in LaLiga under Simeone's orders.
Atlético de Madrid has already shown that it doesn't fear signing players with a white past, as was the case with Marcos Llorente. If the pieces fit, Kovacic could become one of the great additions to the red and white team for the next season.