Chelsea would not stand in Mateo Kovacic's way should he decide to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, according to reports
Kovacic, 28, has just over a year remaining on his contract at the London outfit, fueling links with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool as well as City ahead of the summer transfer window opening. Recent reports have claimed City are 'increasingly confident' of signing the Croatia international, as they may need to replace Ilkay Gundogan in the summer should he leave when his contract expires.
And The Evening Standard now claims 'Chelsea would not stand in his way if he wanted to leave' with the report adding that Manchester City are interested in acquiring his signature.
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Elsewhere, City's hopes of signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham have reportedly been boosted as Real Madrid are said to have made clear that they are unwilling to exceed paying €100million (£88m) for the England international, which falls well below the German giants' asking price this summer.
Despite being quoted transfer fees as high as €150million (£132m) for Bellingham, the Spanish side insist they will not be offering that much and are instead confident that their existing relationship with Dortmund will enable them to negotiate the fee down, according to AS.
Madrid remain wary that City could blow them out of the water, though, with a vastly better offer that could win the bidding war for a player they see as the heir apparent to Luka Modric.
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