Decided to leave the club. Manchester City star demands a transfer

Mateo Kovacic intends to leave Manchester City in January after reportedly becoming unhappy with new head coach Enzo Maresca's treatment of him, according to Sportske Novosti. The Croatian midfielder joined the English club from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 and regularly featured under Pep Guardiola.

After the managerial change, Kovacic sought clarity over his role in the revamped squad. He first held talks with sporting director Hugo Viana, who assured the midfielder that Manchester City were counting on him. However, the club strengthened its midfield over the summer, signing Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and, on the final day of the transfer window, Enzo Fernandez.

According to the source, shortly before Fernandez's arrival, Kovacic expressed his doubts to Maresca and Viana over his playing time. Both assured the Croatian that he would feature regularly, yet the midfielder has been left on the bench in the last two league matches.

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Kovacic wanted to leave on the final day of the transfer window and received offers from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but he failed to complete a move in time. Now, the 32-year-old plans to leave Manchester City in January. His contract runs until June 2027.