Tottenham are one of five clubs to have initiated contact with Real Madrid as they set up their hunt to sign wantaway midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to AS.
The Spanish news outlet claims that Manchester United, Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma have also been in touch with Real Madrid over the 24-year-old after he informed the Bernabeu hierarchy that he wants to leave this summer.
It is understood that the Croatian pass master has a release clause worth a staggering £264million, and he wants to sit down and discuss that and the length of his deal, which expires in 2021, with the club as he eyes a summer exit.
Good move for Tottenham?
Absolutely – but only if the price is right.
There’s no way that Spurs would come anywhere near to meeting Kovacic’s release clause at Madrid. Spanish clubs have a thing about putting stupid release clauses in their players’ deals and Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain has seen some breathtaking sums of money being mentioned.
Kovacic has immense quality and would be a top, top player for any club in Europe expect for maybe the elite clubs like Madrid or Barcelona.
For Tottenham, the playmaker is a must-buy for Daniel Levy, especially with Mousa Dembele’s contract expiring next year.
This is Futbol rating 10/10
Likely to happen?
Given Kovacic’s desire to leave, he will surely be on the move this summer – but where to?
Spurs have a small chance of being able to beat the likes of Juventus and United to his signature, while the idea of returning to his former club Inter Milan could also interest him.
Spurs will surely be able to promise him more first team football than Man United, so it’s anyone’s guess as to where he will end up this summer.
This is Futbol rating 5/10