Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic on loan.
Mateo Kovacic joined Real Madrid from Inter Milan in August last year for a fee of €29m but has since struggled to hold his place in the first-team setup. Real Madrid have always had an abundance of talent in midfield and the Croatian found it hard to break into the starting eleven, and was restricted to appearances off the bench. The 22-year old made 25 Liga BBVA appearances for Real Madrid; 17 of those coming on as a substitute.
Kovacic managed only 2 assists in his league appearances, averaging a measly overall rating of 6.50 per game (stats via whoscored). He was part of the Croatia squad for Euro 2016 but was restricted to just 2 appearances, both of them coming as a substitute. The midfielder played a total of 36 minutes in the European Championship campaign and failed to make an impact as his nation bowed out in the Round of 16.
The former Inter Milan man has been heavily linked with various big clubs all across Europe. Roma, Juventus and AC Milan were all reportedly targeting the 22-year old with Liverpool leading the race to sign the midfielder. It was then reported that the Merseyside club were not interested in Kovacic anymore and only AC Milan remained as a suitor for the player.
According to Football Italia, fresh reports from Marca have claimed that while Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is an admirer of Kovacic, the Frenchman understands the midfielder’s need for regular first-team football. It is further reported that the Spanish giants are prepared to let go of Kovacic temporarily, preferably on a season-long loan.
AC Milan were the favourites to land the former Inter Milan midfielder but Forza Italian Football have reported that Liverpool have reignited their interest in the Croatian. The reports also state that Kovacic would like to remain at Real and fight for his place in the first-team setup. Real Madrid are, however, reportedly in the market for another midfielder which might mean that Kovacic may be on the way out of the Bernabeu for want of first-team action.
