Mateo Kovacic's ideal shirt number could be given to him if he completes his move to Manchester City.

Mateo Kovacic’s ideal shirt number could be given to him if he completes his move to Manchester City.

Manchester City are interested in Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic ahead of the summer transfer season.

Mateo Kovacic would only be given his preferred shirt number if Ilkay Gundogan departed Manchester City.

City’s season is far from done, as they have FA Cup and Champions League finals coming up in the next eight days, which will determine whether they can complete a historic treble. But that doesn’t stop rumors from swirling ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Last summer saw the arrivals of Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Manuel Akanji, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez, and Stefan Ortega, as well as the departures of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. This time around, it’s expected to be a quieter window, as Pep Guardiola may return to his typical philosophy of gradual additions rather than huge alterations.

While the likely exits of Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo may necessitate defensive additions, the only position that requires immediate attention is midfield. The majority of City’s engine room personnel are in their late 20s or early 30s.

Furthermore, Bernardo Silva may still want to return to continental Europe, Phillips has struggled since his departure, and Gundogan’s future remains uncertain. The captain’s contract expires at the end of the month, and it’s unclear what he’ll do next.

Guardiola is desperate to keep one of his most trusted players, but it appears like he will go for a fresh challenge. Losing the German, who has been crucial to City’s title win yet again, would be a huge loss that would necessitate a large replacement.

The potential of Gundogan leaving has fueled talk that the Blues are interested in signing Kovacic. Football.According to reports in London, the Croatian midfielder “now looks set to have made his last appearance” for Chelsea, and City is in talks to recruit him. The 29-year-old has one year left on his contract and could be available for a lower fee considering his age and the fact that new boss Mauricio Pochettino appears to want a huge clear-out.

Kovacic is a player in the mold of Gundogan, and while his age does not help make City’s midfield younger, he would be an adequate alternative. The Champions League winner would not only take his role, but also his shirt number if he had his way.

Kovacic has worn nine numbers for club and country during his stellar career, but his favorite is No.8. He’s been wearing it for Croatia since 2015, at his first club Dinamo Zagreb, and he got it in his fifth season at Chelsea after Ross Barkley left.

Gundogan has worn the number with distinction at City since his arrival in 2016, so the only way Kovacic could obtain it is if the German departs and leaves it open. Apart from the No.29 he wore when he originally joined Inter, the other numbers Kovacic has worn during his career – 17, 23, 16, 10, 20, 4, 14 – are all taken.