Juve Transfer Market: Eyes on Kovacic—Carnevali Explores the Possibility

Juventus is already looking ahead to the 2027 summer transfer window, and among the names on the front office’s radar is Mateo Kovacic, a Manchester City midfielder whose contract expires on June 30.

The Bianconeri are looking for quality and experience to strengthen their midfield, and the Croatian represents a particularly interesting opportunity. His time in England may be coming to an end: a contract extension with the Citizens seems unlikely, especially following the signings of Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi, which have increased competition for playing time.

This season’s stats confirm the midfielder’s struggles to find playing time in the Premier League: just 92 minutes played across three appearances, with only one start. Kovacic, who turned 32 last May, might thus consider a new challenge to return to the forefront.

For Kovacic, this would mark a return to Italy, where he previously played for Inter between 2013 and 2015. After his time with Inter, the Croatian played for Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester City, winning numerous trophies and gaining significant international experience.

His potential arrival in Turin would allow Juventus to secure a player accustomed to the big stage. His ball-handling skills, ability to control the pace of the game, and strong personality are qualities that could be very beneficial to the Bianconeri’s midfield, whether under Luciano Spalletti or under a new coach. The possibility of signing him on a free transfer is another reason for Juventus management to take an interest.

However, the financial aspect remains to be considered: Kovacic currently earns an estimated gross salary of around 9 million euros per season at Manchester City, excluding bonuses. This is a significant sum for Juventus’ coffers: to wear the Juventus jersey, the Croatian midfielder would therefore have to be willing to take a pay cut.