Tottenham are again being linked with a move for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
According to a report from the Daily Star, Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks with Real Madrid over a possible deal to sign Croatian playmaker Mateo Kovacic.
Spurs have been quiet since the end of the season and have yet to make a move in this summer’s transfer market, but Mauricio Pochettino is still expected to pursue new signings.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi in action against Mateo Kovacic of Croatia
Central midfield could be one area to target for Spurs, given that Eric Dier has regularly been used as a defender in a 3-4-2-1 system, whilst Harry Winks’ injury means that Pochettino may have to rely heavily on Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele.
Now, the Daily Star report that Tottenham are pursuing Mateo Kovacic, and have opened talks with Spanish giants Real Madrid about the possibility of a deal this summer.
Kovacic, 23, emerged as a young star Dinamo Zagreb, and after a big move to Inter Milan – where he hit eight goals in 97 games following a January 2013 switch – he was then snapped up by Real Madrid in 2015.
Since heading to the Santiago Bernabeu, Kovacic has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot, and he started just 23 games in all competitions last season, meaning he could pursue first-team football elsewhere.
Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic in action against Eibar
Often compared to Real Madrid team-mate, compatriot and ex-Spurs star Luka Modric, the Croatian star has allegedly emerged as a target for Tottenham, but whether they can convince Real Madrid to sell is another matter.
Intriguingly, Ed Aarons of The Guardian would later take to Twitter to suggest that Spurs are denying interest in Kovacic, meaning it remains to be seen whether Pochettino’s men do make a firm bid for the playmaker this summer.
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