Kovačić Confirms He's Staying at City
The Croatian international has cleared up doubts about his future, while Alvaro Arbeloa has brought Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios to the London club.
The Croatian international has cleared up doubts about his future, while Alvaro Arbeloa has brought Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios to the London club.
Croatian international footballer Mateo Kovačić (32) has confirmed he is staying at Manchester City, dismissing media speculation about a departure from the Etihad club. Meanwhile, his former club Real Madrid has sold two young players, Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, to English side Fulham, where they will be managed by former Real coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Kovačić has entered the final year of his contract with Manchester City, and a new deal has not yet been offered. Last season, he made only nine appearances due to Achilles tendon and ankle injuries. Despite speculation linking him with Juventus and his former club Inter, the player is clear. "I didn't get the impression that I was being questioned. I spoke with people at the club, and they told me they're counting on me, and that was very important for me to hear," Kovačić told Index.hr.
City's new manager, Enzo Maresca, also gave his support to the Croatian midfielder. "Mateo is our player. As long as he's here, I'll do everything I can to help him. It's my duty to get the best out of the players. I'm happy he's with us, and we'll continue working together," Maresca said.
Kovačić has an opportunity for more playing time due to the injury of Spanish international Rodri, who had to undergo back surgery. Kovačić played 45 minutes in Saturday's friendly against Inter. "I've played both with and without Rodri. Given that he's out now, of course I can step into that position, but we'll see what happens when he returns," he added.
Competing for a place in midfield will also be Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez, and new record signing Elliot Anderson. The 23-year-old arrived from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, having played all 38 Premier League matches last season. Anderson has not yet joined the squad as he was given an extended break after reaching the World Cup semifinals with England. Kovačić believes he is a great addition: "I think he brings great quality and physical strength. He's shown he can run a lot and is equally good with and without the ball. He's young and can improve a lot at City."
While Kovačić stays in Manchester, Real Madrid confirmed on Monday evening the departure of two young players to Fulham. Forward Gonzalo Garcia (22) and midfielder Cesar Palacios (21) have signed five-year contracts with the London club, until 2031. There, they will be managed by former Real coach Alvaro Arbeloa (43), who briefly took charge of the first team of the Royal club in January, replacing Xabi Alonso, and moved to Fulham in July.
Sources differ on the financial details of the transfers. According to Goal.com, the total price for both players is €50 million, with Gonzalo worth €40 million and Palacios €10 million. On the other hand, Danas.net.hr reports British media estimates that Fulham paid around £34 million ($45 million) for Gonzalo and about £8.5 million for Palacios. Goal.com adds that Fulham secures only 70 percent of the transfer rights in each deal, meaning Real could earn more from future sales.
Gonzalo Garcia scored 13 goals in 51 appearances for Real in all competitions and won the Champions League and La Liga in 2024. He particularly stood out at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where he scored four goals. Palacios made seven appearances for Real's first team, debuting in the Copa del Rey against Albacete, and also played in the Champions League.
Their chances of playing time at Real were slim, especially after Jose Mourinho succeeded Arbeloa on the bench of the Royal club. Real has earned more than €110 million from sell-on clauses this summer, which was used to bring in Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, and Carlos Espio for €100 million, along with free transfers of Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva.
Fulham, who finished 11th in the Premier League last season, open the new season on August 24 with a home match against Chelsea. A third Real player Fulham reportedly wanted, 18-year-old Argentine Franco Mastantuono, is currently closer to a loan move to Fiorentina.
