Real Madrid are reportedly ready to listen to offers for midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who is interesting the likes of Tottenham and Barcelona.
According to Evening Standard, Real Madrid have eased their stance on the availability of midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The reigning La Liga champions are ready to listen to offers for the Croat, who is a target for Tottenham and Barcelona, with Florentino Perez keen to use the cash to bankroll a move for AS Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe.
Mateo Kovacic is one of the latest batch of Croatian midfielders who have arrived onto the scene in world football. The player joined Real Madrid after impressing for Inter Milan in the Serie A. And, while he was more of a backup, Zinedine Zidane’s rotation policy means the player has been afforded ample game time at Santiago Bernabeu.
39 appearances in total in the middle of the park in the 2016-17 campaign is not enough for a player of Kovacic’s calibre. But, he has been very influential in his role as an enforcer in the central midfield, allowing his more creative teammates – Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to venture forward more often.
His performances have also seen the player being hailed as the eventual successor to Luka Modric. However, the inability to lock down a place in the starting eleven may open up possibility of the player leaving. And two suitors have already lined up to take advantage of any such contingency – Barcelona and Tottenham.
Barcelona are in dire need of addition to the central midfield. Marco Verratti remains their primary target. But, the Italian seems set to stay at PSG, who are firm on their intent to keep the player at Parc des Princes. In the wake of such updates, Barcelona are now setting their sights on other targets, with Kovacic being one of them.
Kovacic linked with Spurs.Would be a brilliant signing
Can play Moussa Dembele’s box to box role+also allow them to play a 4-3-3 if needed pic.twitter.com/fz3itiT0K3
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) July 7, 2017
Tottenham on the other hand, have a stacked midfield and attack. But, Mousa Dembele is 29 and Kovacic can be an instant and long-term replacement for the Belgian.
Also, Pochettino’s men have already seen their title challenge lay to waste for two seasons in a row for want of depth and the Argentine is willing to correct it going into the new campaign. Real are reportedly ready to listen to offers, with the club having their eyes locked on Kylian Mbappe.
And while Los Blancos are not in a cash crunch or lack the balance to move for Mbappe, they are now ready to offload Kovacic if a worthy offer is submitted, with the view that it will open up space in the squad and also aid them financially in moving for the Frenchman.
It will be interesting to see if Tottenham or Barcelona do lodge a bid and what the figure will be. For now, though, this will be a huge boost to the duo who are both looking to pounce on the opportunity to land the 23-year-old midfielder.
