Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic reportedly intends to remain at the Etihad Stadium for the foreseeable future.
During the 2023 summer transfer window, Kovacic made the surprise switch to the Premier League champions after a successful stint with Chelsea.
Given the extra quality in Pep Guardiola's squad, the amount of game time that the Croatia international would receive appeared to be in some doubt.
However, Kovacic has proceeded to make 34 starts and 16 substitute outings in all competitions, chipping in with four goals.
Most notably, the 30-year-old has starred in the engine room while Rodri has been eased back into action after helping Spain win Euro 2024 in the summer.
Kovacic makes decision on Saudi interest
With Rodri now in a position where he is ready to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup, it appears likely that Kovacic will return to being a rotational option.
There is also extra competition in the form of the returning Ilkay Gundogan, a known favourite of Guardiola's and whose stature at the club will likely dictate that he is eventually above Kovacic in the pecking order.
Nevertheless, according to Football Insider, Kovacic is not tempted to take on an easier challenge at another club.
The report claims that the four-time Champions League winner would prefer to continuing representing City than take a lucrative deal in the Saudi Pro League.
Like several other City players across the summer transfer window, Kovacic is said to have an offer on the table should he wish to make the move to the Middle East.
A previous report has indicated that Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr would be ready to pounce should Kovacic signal that he is ready to sign for last season's runners-up.
Major bonus for Guardiola
Guardiola has never been one to stand in the way of a player leaving City should the club be presented with the right offer.
In this instance, though, the Spaniard would not want to see his squad further depleted with the group already down to 20 senior outfield players.
Before the end of September, City still have five fixtures on their schedule, including matches against Inter Milan, Arsenal and Newcastle United.
Despite there being the realistic prospect of Kovacic finding himself in and out of the side, he can expect to feature frequently from the start or off the substitutes' bench. body check tags ::
