According to reports, Roma are edging closer to sealing a move for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Roma are resigned to lose their star midfielder Miralem Pjanic to arch rivals Juventus and it now seems as if the Italian giants have acted quickly to replace the Bosnian.
Now according to La Gazzetta dello Sport(via Football Italia) Il Giallorossi are close to signing on Real Madrid play maker Mateo Kovacic on loan. The report states that Roma Sporting Director Walter Sabatini has gone to Madrid to finalise a deal for the 22-year-old midfielder.
Kovacic’s difficult time
Since moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2014, the Croatian international, who was labelled ‘the next Modric’, has endured a difficult time in the Spanish capital.
Opportunities have come few and far between for the young playmaker and he was never able to break into a midfield consisting of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.
Los Blancos had endured a difficult start to the season under Benitez , who’s his sacking didn’t exactly help Kovacic’ chances. Even after the arrival of Zinedine Zidane, he found himself behind James, Isco and Modric in the pecking order and as a final blow, was left out of the Champions League final squad.
Kovacic, who is currently with his national team at the European Championships in France, isn’t short of suitors. Earlier, he was linked with both AC Milan and Juventus who are looking to solve their midfield problems and add to their quality in midfield, respectively.
Roma’s busy summer
It’s unlikely that the young Kovacic would serve as a like-for-like replacement for the departing Pjanic or even exert the same level of influence that the Bosnian could. But it’s sure to soften the blow to the team, while some game time in Italy would also suit the 22-year-old and speed up his development.
Roma are in for a busy summer ahead, as they try to retain and replace some of their best players, amidst interest speculations around the future of Nainggolan, Antonio Rudiger and Kostas Manolas .
