Manchester City‘s Mateo Kovačić has to wait until the winter market to secure a move away from the Premier League side.
The Croatia international arrived at the Etihad from Chelsea in 2023 when Pep Guardiola was in charge. The manager was keen on his arrival and utilised him regularly when available for selection in the first two seasons.
Last season, the midfielder struggled with injuries and there were genuine concerns he may miss the World Cup. However, he regained fitness in March and has been available since then.
Manchester City accused of being unfair
In the summer, the English club appointed Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor. The Croatia international, as per Sportske Novosti, wanted to find out about his role as the club entered a new era.
He first held talks with Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana, who made it clear that the Citizens are counting on him.
Manchester City signed Elliot Anderson and were after another midfielder. Ayyoub Bouaddi arrived from Lille. Mateo Kovačić was to compete with these two players, as both Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders left the club.
On deadline day, the Etihad club signed Enzo Fernández from Chelsea. A few days prior to this, the Croatia international ‘expressed his skepticism’ with the coach and Viana about enjoying playing time. The two assured him he would enjoy regular minutes.
That hasn’t happened, as Kovačić was an unused substitute in the last two league games.
Taking this into account, Sportske Novosti state the manager and director were ‘unfair’ towards the player.
| Every Manchester City signing 26/27 | Previous Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Enzo Fernández | Chelsea | £125m |
| Elliot Anderson | Nottingham Forest | £116m |
| Ayyoub Bouaddi | Lille | £81.4m |
| Iliman Ndiaye | Everton | £65m |
| Allan | Palmeiras | £32m |
| Mathys Detourbet | Troyes | £21.7m |
| Jeremy Monga | Leicester City | £10m |
| Pierce Charles | Sheffield Wednesday | £3m |
| Geronimo Rulli | Marseille | £1.7m |
Efforts to leave Manchester City on deadline day
Mateo Kovačić wanted to leave the Premier League side on deadline day, taking advantage of the ‘lucrative offers’ from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The move didn’t take shape because he ran out of time.
It’s worth noting the Turkey and the Saudi windows were open beyond September 1st. He could have moved there and the suggestion of the 33-year-old running out of time hardly makes sense.
For the Croatian, this is ‘beginning of the end’ at the Etihad and he is aiming to leave Manchester City in January. Until then, he has to settle for minutes in the EFL Cup and with the national team.
His contract runs until June 2027. Taking this into account, Enzo Maresca’s side are highly unlikely to block his exit in the winter market. It allows them to avoid losing him for free next summer.
Kovačić can only hope the Turkish and Saudi clubs will return for him again in January. The midfielder is likely to pick a team that can offer him a better deal, both financially and sporting wise.
🇦🇷 Santiago Beltrán | Aston Villa and Manchester City send officials for 21-year-old Argentina international https://t.co/kA8Nd76t9F #avfc #mcfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) September 17, 2026
