Mateo Kovacic

[SpartanSpur]

He may well back himself but I'm guessing the experience he's had at Madrid will have given him a dose of realism. In the Marca interview where he laid out why he wanted to leave he talked about how the prestige of the club was a huge draw, but that he knows he needs to be playing in order to continue progressing. It's the whole reason he wants out of the biggest club in the world, so it will surely be the number one factor in his decision for where he goes.

At City he'd be trying to displace either De Bruyne or David Silva, and competing against the likes of Gundogan and Bernardo Silva just to be next in line. At Spurs he would waltz into Dembele's place in the first XI overnight. Bigger clubs than us will undoubtedly be in for him but among the current CL clubs in England we are in the best position to offer him what he's looking for most. I'm not saying we'll definitely get him but you'd have to think we're in with a shout.

Totally agree, I did mention it depends how much being at Madrid affected him. It would still take a brave man to be confident city couldn't woo him however.

If our interest is genuine then I'd hope we'd have a decent chance. Juve and Bayern would be the usual suspects, but to be fair I think Juve blew their load on Ronaldo and also added Emre Can. Bayern have added Goretzka too. Maybe Inter as an old club back on the rise but thinking about it we'd have a good chance if we are actually in for him.

 

[daryl hannah]

Price has to come into it - paper talk of £80m last week have to hope that's pie in the sky.

 

[nedley]

We are going to be a pull for many players and even if the choice was us or Citeh I'd be optimistic. We'd offer London, a growing team and the number 8 shirt. Citeh wouldn't guarantee him starts?

But would we stump up the £60m it would take to get him here? Im not so sure.

 

[Phomesy]

Rumours he has put a transfer request in

If true surely he wouldn't have done so without a specific destination in mind?

 

[matty74]

No one will pay 60m for him he wasn’t even a starter for Croatia let alone real

Be lucky to get 40m for him

 

[Univarn]

No one will pay 60m for him he wasn’t even a starter for Croatia let alone real

Be lucky to get 40m for him

Never forget Real Madrid have all the resources and are high enough profile to just not care and not sell him because they don't want too. Never put it past them to keep him just because they can unless someone wants to pay an extortionate fee.

 

[Ekmek]

I Do obviously not know what the clubs prioritees are but if its a cm to replace Dembele I guess we need to stump up 45-60 to get someone good enough.

 

[Sandros Shiny Head]

If it's game time he wants, we're the only genuine option if we can afford him. He'd get 45+ starts here

 

[tiger666]

Rumours he has put a transfer request in

On a Sunday? Outrageous .. would much prefer the club put their efforts and cash into this guy than Zaha/Martial.

 

[Haddock]

I'll seriously weep if Kovacic signs for City.

 

[JayB]

Never forget Real Madrid have all the resources and are high enough profile to just not care and not sell him because they don't want too. Never put it past them to keep him just because they can unless someone wants to pay an extortionate fee.

Madrid has a policy of selling players who want out. They just sold Ronaldo FFS. They have Modric, Kroos, Isco, and Ceballos in his position so it's not as though he's indispensable. If it's true he's handed in a transfer request it would be unusual for them to force him to stay.

 

[rossdapep]

Never forget Real Madrid have all the resources and are high enough profile to just not care and not sell him because they don't want too. Never put it past them to keep him just because they can unless someone wants to pay an extortionate fee.

Whilst they are arrogant, they aren't stupid. There was a report at the back end of last season that stated they needed to get some players of their pay roll and were struggling to put money together for a big bid for Neymar, for example.

Any sales will help them bring in the money to put together that transfer fee. That Neymar transfer last season shook the foundations and the monopoly of Madrid who thought they could operate at a level above everyone, not even they can dip into their pockets for a 100m+ transfer, they have to generate the cash from somewhere.

 

[mark87]

£20 to SC if we sign him.

 

[Qualsonic]

Price has to come into it - paper talk of £80m last week have to hope that's pie in the sky.

Ridiculous price I agree, but I'd rather pay it for him than Zaha or Martial

 

[ButchCassidy]

Where has this City talk come from? Pep is claiming they don’t need another midfielder and if he did want one I don’t think Kovacic would be first on his list when players like Thiago, Pjanic, even Vidal are apparently available.

United, Bayern, Juve, even Chelsea scare me more - that is if we are even in for him.

 

[Deep Left]

Kovacic playing for us just makes so much sense. In my opinion he would be the perfect signing for us this window. Please....

 

[George94]

If we're not in for him, there has to be logical reason.

Whether it's the price tag on his head, the wages he'd want, agents fees etc.

It wouldn't be because we don't rate him / don't think we need him.

 

[nedley]

Where has this transfer request story come from?

 

[BPR_U16]

Has there ever been any itk or all wishful thinking?

 

[SpartanSpur]

Where has this transfer request story come from?

Grey Fox.

Although Marca has run the story of him telling madrid he wants out (again) today and the asking price is €50m. They are pretty much the Real Madrid unofficial mouthpiece too.