Transfer News: Mateo Kovacic admits desire to leave Real Madrid as Manchester United line up €50 million bid

Manchester United are reportedly set to step up their pursuit of Mateo Kovacic, who is set to leave Real Madrid this summer.

According to a report by The Sun, Mateo Kovacic is lining up a bid to sign Mateo Kovacic in the summer transfer window. The Croatian midfielder has made it clear that he intends to leave Real Madrid after failing to become a regular at the Bernabeu in recent seasons.

Kovacic was seen as a coup when Real Madrid signed him from Inter Milan in the summer of 2015 in a €30 million deal. The Serie A outfit had been forced to sell the Croat to avoid Financial Fair Play implications, but it seemed as if Los Blancos had already secured the services of Luka Modric’s long-term successor.

However, Kovacic has been left frustrated by the fact that he is still a bit-part player, three years after moving to Real Madrid. The same had been the case this past season, with the 24-year-old managing to start just 18 games, leading to rumours of a possible departure from the Bernabeu, with Manchester United reportedly keeping tabs on his situation.

Manchester United have already bolstered their midfield this summer by signing Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk. But, it has been a well known belief that they would sign another midfielder this summer if Marouane Fellaini ends up departing from Old Trafford.

With the Belgian’s contract set to run out this week, it is but obvious that Manchester United will enter the market once again for a midfielder. However, Kovacic will be more of a recruitment to offset the departure of Michael Carrick, who retired at the end of the 2017-18 season to join Jose Mourinho’s backroom staff for the forthcoming season.

Indeed, Kovacic can provide an infusion of creativity from midfield while also looking after the defensive side of the game to complement not just Paul Pogba, but Nemanja Matic and Fred as well. Manchester United now have a spring in their step, with the Croat signalling his intention to leave Real Madrid this summer, in an interview with MARCA.

“I know that it’s difficult to be a starter at Real Madrid, especially when I arrived at a really young age. I understand the situation, but because of that I believe the best thing for me would be to go to another club where I’d have the opportunity to play regularly as a starter.”

“I think I can have this opportunity and it’s one I want right now. I think that all of the players at Real Madrid are important. The problem is that it’s difficult to get consistency when you’re a young player. Without that consistency I will never be able to show my potential.”

The writing is thus, on the wall, with Kovacic set to leave Real Madrid this summer, having previously alluded to the same. Manchester United are lining up a €50 million bid which they think could be enough to persuade Los Blancos to part ways with him.

However, it will be interesting to see if the figure, which pales in comparison to his buyout clause of €300 million, is enough. Additionally, competition from Juventus and AS Roma will complicate matters further for Manchester United, who don’t exactly share the best of relationships with Real Madrid.

What remains certain though, is the fact that Manchester United’s position is stronger than ever before in pursuit of Kovacic, with the player keen on leaving Real Madrid in search of regular game time.