Manchester United could rival Manchester City for signing of Chelsea midfielder

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard will be hoping to see his side record back-to-back victories when they face Nottingham Forest on Saturday. 

The ex-England international picked up his first win as interim manager when his side beat Bournemouth last time out, but Forest will be desperate to pick up another crucial victory and move closer to securing their Premier League survival.

Lampard is set to depart Stamford Bridge when the season finishes, although a permanent successor hasn’t yet been appointed.

Speculation linking former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino with the vacant position has been rife in recent weeks, but those in charge of the London outfit are yet to confirm an appointment.

This summer looks set to be one of huge change at Stamford Bridge, with several players likely to leave the club.

Since taking charge last summer, owner Todd Boehly has spent more than £500 million on 16 new signings, and Chelsea will now have to let a number of players leave during the upcoming window.

Mateo Kovacic is one of those players that has been linked with a move away from west London, and it appears that another huge club has entered the race to sign him.

Kovacic has reportedly attracted interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest sides

As per Football Insider, Manchester United are monitoring the Croatian midfielder with a view to possibly making a move to sign him this summer.

Kovacic, 29, has reportedly attracted interest from Manchester City in recent weeks, although Chelsea remain hopeful of keeping hold of the player.

The Croatia international joined Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid in 2018 and made his move permanent the following year.

Since joining the club, he has made 219 appearances for the Blues, lifting four trophies including the Champions League.

He will soon enter into the final 12 months of his current contract, though, and Chelsea could decide to sell him this summer to avoid losing him next year if a deal can’t be agreed.

Chelsea have signed Enzo Fernandez and Carney Chukwuemeka in the past year, and could therefore allow at least one central midfielder to depart the club during the upcoming window.