Imagine him and Casemiro: Ten Hag focusing on a swoop for Chelsea star
Manchester United are evidently in the market for midfielders this summer, with a reported approach for Mason Mount, and now the Red Devils are on track to sign another Chelsea star.
What is the current status of Manchester United’s pursuit of Mateo Kovacic?
Man United, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), is planning to sabotage Manchester City’s efforts to recruit Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic this summer.
According to the report, the Reds are competing with the Premier League champions and Bayern Munich for Erik ten Hag’s signature, and are making it clear they are willing to spend significantly to assemble a high-quality squad.
Would Kovacic be an asset to Manchester United?
The Croatian midfielder, once dubbed a “revelation” by Garth Crooks, could provide an adequate solution to the problems that Manchester United have encountered this season by bringing solid physicality and a winning mentality to the dressing room and field.
Ten Hag’s long-standing interest in Frenkie de Jong demonstrates the profile of player the Dutch coach is desperate to deploy in the midfield, and Kovacic could be a fantastic alternative given not only his obvious qualities but also his relationship with Casemiro at Real Madrid.
The former Los Blancos teammates frequently competed for the defensive position in midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Luca Modric, but were occasionally deployed as a partnership, winning three Champions League trophies and a league championship during their tenure together.
Now, Ten Hag could reunite the pair and establish a dream midfield partnership for Manchester United, which could inspire an incredible run in Europe next season due to their unmatched experience in winning the prestigious competition multiple times.
While Casemiro is a formidable presence in the deepest midfield position, having a player like Kovacic alongside him who can easily advance the ball and cover the ground required to both retain and gain possession would be of immense benefit to the team.
According to Sofascore, the 29-year-old star, who is rumored to be worth £35 million, has strengths in ball control and playmaking with two assists, four big chances created, an 86% pass completion rate, and a dribbling success rate of 66% in 27 Premier League appearances this season.
Consequently, it would be a no-brainer to bring Kovacic to Manchester United in the summer if the opportunity presents itself, as his successful experience playing alongside Casemiro and diverse midfield characteristics make him the ideal player to enhance the team.
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Imagine him and Casemiro: Ten Hag focusing on a swoop for Chelsea star