Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'unwilling to meet Mateo Kovacic asking price'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 17 July 2018

Man City 'unwilling to meet Kovacic price'

Manchester City reportedly decide against making a move for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic after being quoted £80m for the Croatia international.

Manchester City have reportedly decided against making a move for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic due to his £80m price tag.

City have been forced to pursue other midfield targets after Jorginho signed for Chelsea last week, with Pep Guardiola identifying Kovacic as a potential alternative.

However, Madrid have slapped an £80m asking price on the head of the Croatia international, who helped his country to the final of the World Cup this summer.

Sky Sports News reports that the Premier League champions are unwilling to consider such a bid for a player who made only 10 La Liga starts last season.

City have also been linked with Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina, although Guardiola is understood to be happy with his current squad and is not desperate to bring in more new arrivals this summer.

The Citizens have already broken their transfer record to sign Riyad Mahrez in the current window, but have otherwise not strengthened their title-winning squad.