Real Madrid are reportedly open to selling the midfiedler in the summer but could a re-union with Rafael Benitez be on the cards at Newcastle United?
In many ways, Mateo Kovacic is the ideal signing for Newcastle United. The Croatian midfielder, who the Daily Mirror report could be sold by Real Madrid for around £17.5 million this summer, is young enough to earn Mike Ashley a profit some way down the line and skilful enough to be the dynamic, creative central midfielder Rafael Benitez is crying out for.
Furthermore, although the Daily Mirror claim that he is not thrilled at the prospect of leaving the Champions League holders, Kovacic’s lack of regular game time at the Bernabau means he has a point to prove if he is to fulfil his potential as one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders.
The publication reports that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is a keen admirer of the former Inter Milan starlet, whose high-intensity, forward-thinking style makes him a natural fit for the Argentine’s tactical approach, but that does not mean that Newcastle shouldn’t seize an opportunity to herald their impending Premier League return with a marquee signing.
After all, Kovacic is a confirmed fan of the man at the helm of St James’ Park – the same man who brought him to the Bernabau in the summer of 2015.
“It’s an honour to work under one of the best managers in the world,” Kovacic, who has started just 22 La Liga games in two seasons, told Real’s official TV Channel after signing from Inter.
“[Benitez] is a great coach. He has won loads of trophies.”
Newcastle have already enjoyed the benefits of having a Champions League winning coach at the helm with the likes of Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie more than happy to drop down a division to work under the Spaniard.
However, enticing the 22-year-old Croatian to St James’ Park would go down as one of the club’s greatest transfer coups of recent times.
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