West Ham United reportedly want to sign Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
While it remains to be seen if Madrid accept West Ham’s offer or Kovacic himself is willing to leave arguably the biggest club in the world and the defending European champions for a team who just about managed to survive in the Premier League last season, it is clear that the Croatia international midfielder would be the best marquee signing manager Manuel Pellegrini could make this summer.
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Serial winner
Kovacic has helped Croatia to the quarter-finals of the World Cup and is a very decorated footballer, having won Prva HNL with Dinamo Zagreb in 2011 and 2012, and La Liga in 2016-17 and the Champions League three times with Madrid.
The 24-year-old is very good midfield player who is good on the ball, is technically gifted, can dribble and can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a deep-lying playmaker.
Rated by Rafael Benitez
It was now Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez who signed Kovacic for Madrid in the summer of 2015, and in August 2015, the Spaniard was quoted as saying by Goal.com about the Croatia international midfielder: “He is not a typical, defensive midfielder — he offers quality.
“He joins the attack, he’s dynamic, passes the ball well and has a decent shot. He doesn’t shy away from his responsibilities, and that will make him a great player for Real Madrid.”
Benitez clearly rated Kovacic highly, and if West Ham are able to secure his services this summer, then they will indeed get a great player.
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