Manchester City director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has given reasons they decided to get Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea this summer.
Kovacic’s move to the Premier League champions was confirmed on Tuesday.
City manager, Pep Guardiola, has been keen to bolster his midfield, after they missed out on Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid this month.
Captain Ilkay Gundogan has also completed a free transfer to Barcelona on Monday.
Begiristain, speaking at Kovacic’s unveiling, said: “He can play as a 6 or an 8, has plenty of experience at top level clubs and he understands the Premier League.
“It was a very simple decision to bring him to City because he has the tactical and technical qualities we are looking for in a midfielder.
“He is someone we have monitored for a very long time and always we were impressed whenever we watched him.”