Overview

• Kovacic will undergo surgery on a persistent heel injury and is expected to be sidelined for about three months.
• His recovery timeframe rules him out of the Club World Cup and the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign.
• The setback follows a mixed second season in which he delivered standout performances but also faced disciplinary issues, including a red card against Bournemouth.
• With two years remaining on his contract, Manchester City are weighing broader midfield reshaping during the summer transfer window.
• City have identified 26-year-old Tijjani Reijnders as a potential midfield addition to offset Kovacic’s absence.