Real’s Mateo Kovacic wants to leave
Mateo Kovacic isn’t thrilled with his playing time at Real Madrid and has sent many of Europe’s top clubs into a scramble. Kovacic told Marca’s Juan Ignacio Garcia Ochoa “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 start.”
The attacking midfield has struggled to find playing time in a midfield packed with playmakers such as Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, Toni Kroos, Marcos Llorente, Isco, and Casemiro. The Croatian international only managed to start ten games last season for Real and accomplished just three assists. His contributions to the team added more defensive solidarity than attacking force.
He’s an intelligent player that boasts a high pass success percentage, 92.2% in La Liga and the Champions League, per WhoScored. With a release clause rumored to be at a paltry fee of €50M, he’s a cheaper option that most midfielders of his caliber.
Liverpool appears to be front runner’s for the 24-year-old midfielder, being one of the few top European teams capable of offering a starting position. With Nabil Fekir’s transfer breaking down, the Croatian provides similar talents as the Frenchman for a cheaper price.
Kovacic could play in the midfield with Liverpool’s newest signing Fabinho, in an attacking spot or defensive, with either Oxlade-Chamberlain or Milner rounding out the trio.
Juventus could use an injection of youth into their midfield, especially one who already has experience in Serie A. Kovacic spent three seasons at Inter Milan before his €29M move to the Spanish Capital. The Croatian would sit well in a midfield trio as a holding midfielder but has been played further up the pitch before.
Both of these teams can offer the 24-year-old a starting position and Champions League play, now they just need Real Madrid to agree to let the player go. Madrid’s new manager and former Spain National Team manager, Julen Lopetegui, could be opting for a heavily influenced Spanish midfield, so not all hope is lost.