Kovacic set for Madrid stay: "Zidane has faith in him"
Despite interest from Napoli, Juventus, Roma, Milán and Inter, the Croatia international intends to remain at the Bernabéu and fight for his place.
Nikky Vuksan, Mateo Kovacic’s agent, has denied that his client is set to leave Real Madrid. “I haven’t spoken to the club, there is no need. Right now he is fighting for his place in the team, as is the case with every player except Cristiano, who is the only one who has a guaranteed place in the first 11,” Vuksan told Sportske Novosti:
Kovacic returned 10 days early from his holidays to join up with the Real squad from the start of pre-season and Vuksan stated that he is in Zinedine Zidane’s plans for the season. “There are always rumours at this time of year but Kovacic is a Madrid player, his manager has faith in him and he helps him and supports him. Every player has to prove their worth to find a place in the team and at Real Madrid it is even more difficult.”
Kovacic arrived at the Bernabéu last summer at the request of Rafa Benítez. Real paid Inter 30 million euros for the midfielder as a back-up for Luka Modric. However, Kovacic did not feature heavily for the side in his debut season, making 34 appearances but starting just 11 times for a total of 1,411 minutes. Kovacic has been the subject of numerous offers, from the Premier League (West Ham, Liverpool and Everton) and Serie A (Napoli, Juventus, Roma, Milan and Inter) but appears intent on working his way into the side at the Bernabéu.