Mateo Kovacic is one of the best midfielders for Croatia in the ongoing Euro 2016 in France, despite failing to feature regularly for his club, Real Madrid in the 2015-16 season. The 22-year-old joined the Spanish capital club from Inter Milan last summer as UEFA's Financial Fair Play forced the Serie A side to let one of their prized assets leave the San Siro. However, he was not given a chance to shine for the La Liga club and saw his first team appearances being limited in the previous campaign.
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Kovacic started in only eight La Liga matches for the Champions League winners. Lack of playing time has seen him being linked with a move away from Real in the summer transfer window.
Spanish publication AS are now reporting that Liverpool are ready to snatch Kovacic from under AS Roma's nose. The Italian club were keen on bringing him back to the Serie A this summer.
Also read: Real Madrid signed Mateo Kovacic but Zinedine Zidane wanted Kevin de Bruyne
Earlier AS also reported that Roma had agreed a loan deal with Real in taking Kovacic to Italy. However, that was jeopardised when the Merseyside club entered the race as Jurgen Klopp is set to assure him a chance of playing regularly in the Premier League.
A difficult first season for Kovacic
Liverpool are willing to pay a fee of €30 million in bringing the Croatian international to Anfield. Kovacic admitted that he had a "difficult" season at Real and provided an update on his future.
“I am one of the youngest players in the squad and was in the stands, but what counts is that we won the Champions League and are all very happy,” Kovacic told FCInternews.it.
“It has been a very difficult campaign. I was disappointed to leave Inter, but Real are a great side. I arrived very young, but gained a lot of experience and saw many things. I knew there would be difficulties, but now I am focused on the Euros.”
“As I already said, we won and that is the important thing. Now there are the Euros and I have a five-year contract.
“I remain very fond of Milan, which is a beautiful city, and I played at a big club like Inter. I had two-and-a-half wonderful years, but today I am a Real Madrid player.
“If Milan were to call? I do not think about other teams. Anything can happen in life, but I am not thinking about that now.”
