According to the Daily Star, Mateo Kovacic is top of Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino’s wish-list this summer and the North London club are trying to complete a deal. The 23-year old only joined Real Madrid two years ago.
Tottenham are looking to add more creativity to their midfield this summer and Kovacic is seen as their number one target to provide that. He would also offer more tactical flexibility to the Spurs side. It is hoped that someone like Kovacic, would allow Pochettino to play a midfield trio – consisting of him, Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele. Previous attempts to play such a formation, have generally failed.
The Daily Star, are reporting that the club have already started talks with Kovacic, who could be available.
The Croatian, though only joined Real Madrid two summers ago and Zinedine Zidane does not want to lose the player. His contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires in 2021. If Madrid were to sell him, then they would demand a buy-back clause.
Madrid saw Kovacic as a long-term replacement for fellow Croatian, Luka Modric. Modric, a former Tottenham man, has never been replaced by his previous club.
Our Verdict
Kovacic would be a great signing for Spurs, but it is yet to be seen how open the player and Madrid, would be to his sale. They could do what they did with Alvaro Morata. They sold the Spanish striker to Juventus, with a buy-back clause and then re-signed him a few years later.
A deal like that could be favourable for the champions of Europe. They could sign the former Inter Milan man back, when he is ready to replace Modric as the club’s metronome. Failing that, Spurs could look to sign him on a loan deal. Although, maybe Pochettino would like something a little more substantial, as he looks to build a side capable of winning the Premier League.
Kovacic was strongly linked with Liverpool in the last summer (Liverpool Echo). He received limited game-time last season, but finished with winners’ medals in La Liga and the Champions League. He is very much seen, though, as one for the future by those at Madrid.
https://youtu.be/xkkC6bXNOks
