According to Starsport, Tottenham have identified Real Madrid midfield ace and Croatia international Mateo Kovacic as a summer transfer target, and are in talks with the La Liga goliaths over the £22million-rated 23-year-old.
Owing to injuries and heavy squad rotation within the Madrid squad, Kovacic made 37 appearances last term, but he firmly remains behind Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro in the pecking order.
Tottenham are hoping a promise of more regular football could convince him into agreeing to a switch.
The north London side have plans to sell Moussa Sissoko following his underwhelming season, and would need a solid midfield replacement ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.
Kovacic fits the bill as his dribbling; through balls; and holding on to possession abilities are perfect for Tottenham’s style of play.
Luring him to north London won’t come easy except he is guaranteed a permanent spot in the starting XI.
However, this isn’t a certainty given that the midfield partnership of Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele seems impenetrable, and Kovacic would almost likely settle for a place on the bench if he makes the switch.
