Modric, Kovacic will be "very happy" at Real Madrid, says boss
Croatia duo Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic have been linked with leaving Real Madrid, but Julen Lopetegui is confident they will stay.
Julen Lopetegui is convinced Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic will be "very happy" playing for Real Madrid this season after becoming the subjects of intense transfer speculation.
Modric, Kovacic both tipped to leave Real Madrid
Modric has been a vital cog in Madrid's midfield over the last few years, helping them to three successive Champions League titles.
He also enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign with Croatia, inspiring their run to the final – where they lost 4-2 to France – and claiming the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
Following the departures of Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo from Madrid, the pair are being tipped to also seek new challenges.
Modric has been strongly linked with Inter, while Kovacic is said to have attracted interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, but Lopetegui seems confident he will be able to call upon their services for the 2018-19 season.
Expects Modric to "continue to be happy playing with us"
"I answered that the other day," Lopetegui told reporters when asked about Modric's future.
"The president [Florentino Pérez] spoke resoundingly and we do not have the slightest doubt that he [Modric] will continue to be happy playing with us.
"There is nothing new. If I have spoken with Modric, I speak with my players when I decide to, but it's private.
Says there "has not been the slightest problem" with Kovacic
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"[Kovacic] has trained with his team-mates as usual and there has not been the slightest problem, I love him and we are delighted that he is among us.
"I believe that Modric and Kovacic are going to be very happy to play at Real Madrid."