Liverpool have reached an “agreement in principle” for Inter star Mateo Kovacic, according to reports in Italy.
Comments from Mateo Kovacic himself and Inter manager Roberto Mancini will refuse to help simmer down speculations regarding the midfielder’s future.
The Reds have most vigorously been linked with the Croat in the past few weeks and it seems that newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport is intent on having him play for Liverpool next season. After claiming the Reds were “days away” from securing his signature a few days back, the Italian paper has now stated that Liverpool and Inter Milan have reached an agreement in principle . for the transfer of the player. According to the report, Liverpool will pay Inter a 23m (A?17m) plus a bonus related to appearances.
Liverpool initially made a cheeky bid of a 10m to the Serie A club but that was presumed to be done to test the waters regarding the cluba s stance on the Croat. The Reds then reportedly returned with a a 18m bid. So the a 23m is more than what the Merseysiders offered initially, but it is also lesser than Inter’s reported desire to land a 25m from the player. However, the bonus in question might mean the two clubs have finally struck an agreement over the fee for the 21 year-old.
According to some reports, Liverpool were waiting to settle on the future of Brendan Rodgers and now that the owners have backed the Northern Irishman, they are expected to formalize a move for the player. It was also claimed that Brendan Rodgers is a in lovea with the player and sees him as the heir to Steven Gerrard.
Kovacic recently went on the record to state that he wants to stay at San Siro.
a Ia ve signed a contract until 2019 and I expect to remain at the club until then, but you never know in football,a he said, a Ia m 100 per cent committed to Inter and want to stay at the club.a
These comments are not unheard of from players making a move but this will definitely alarm the Liverpool management.
Inter want funds for their own signings as they hope they find themselves in the top 3 or 4 next season. Mancinia s reported targets include Manchester Citya s Yaya Toure, Liverpoola s Lucas, Borini and Skrtel, Bayern Municha s Mehdi Benatia. Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes has also been identified as the man to replace Samir Handanovic.
Sources close to the club (some journalists) have maintained complete silence over the matter and Roberto Mancini recently also spoke about him feeling Kovacic will stay with Inter. Therefore, it is not even certain whether there is genuine interest from the Merseysiders, or whether the deal will be closed shortly. However, from all the reports and rumors doing rounds in the Italian, English and even Croatian media, it seems that this is one transfer that could materialize.