Man City could allow ‘extraordinary’ player to leave in January
Man City have so far struggled to live up to their lofty expectations in the Premier League after what was a busy summer transfer window at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s side lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in their last league fixture, before bouncing back with a Carabao Cup win against Swansea City on 29 October.
As a result, they have dropped to fifth place in the Premier League table and remain six points behind league leaders Arsenal after nine games played.
City spent over £180million on reinforcements during the summer window, but their business is not expected to slow down in January.
While there is still a feeling improvements could be made to Guardiola‘s squad, players are also being linked with moves away after their frustrating start.
Mateo Kovacic could leave Man City in January
Football Insider revealed in March that Mateo Kovacic could be allowed to leave Man City as they pushed to complete the signing of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
While nothing ultimately emerged during the summer as Kovacic suffered with injury concerns, his place in the squad is under questioning following a busy transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 31-year-old could be tempted to leave in search of playing time.
“When everybody is fit at Man City, Kovacic isn’t in the starting XI,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s been a very good player, and he’s a consistent performer under Guardiola, but there are playing in that Man City squad who are higher in the pecking order.
“Especially after the business they did in the summer, where does Kovacic fit in the side?
“Obviously there will be rotation because they’re playing in Europe and the cup competitions, but he isn’t somebody who’s going to start every week any more.
“After his injury, if there’s a feeling he’s not quite the player he was, they could allow him to leave.
“There will be no shortage of interest in him, I’ve seen the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham spoken about, where he would go an be an important player.
“It all depends on Man City’s decision, whether they feel it might be the end of his time there.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if they were willing to let him go, and if he’s not playing he will want to go and play regularly elsewhere, so it’s one to keep an eye on.”
Guardiola has previously been full of praise for the midfielder, labelling him “extraordinary” after Man City reached the FA Cup final, where they eventually lost to Crystal Palace. [The Standard]
West Ham and Aston Villa keeping tabs on Kovacic situation
Kovacic has spent the majority of the season on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on an achilles injury over the summer, but returned to action against Everton.
He remains a way off full fitness, and Guardiola has since praised him highly for what he offers to the team, but he is believed to have fallen down the pecking order.
As a result, Kovacic could be allowed to leave Man City in the mid-season window, and a number of clubs are believed to be keeping tabs on his situation.
The likes of West Ham and Aston Villa are believed to be admirers of his, and would be put on alert should he become available when the transfer window opens.
He will likely be given the opportunity to stay in the Premier League, even if not with Man City, as he approaches a return to full fitness.
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