Mateo Kovacic
Mateo Kovacic Reuters

Real Madrid are still immersed in the search of a quality player who reads the game to strengthen their midfield and, according to reports in Italy, the Inter Milan star Mateo Kovacic is installed as one of the favourites.

The 20-year-old - who joined Inter from Dinamo Zagreb in 2013 - is among the most talented midfielders to come out of the Balkans in recent years, having made the Inter starting line-up at just 19 years of age. He is currently in Brazil with Croatia, and played 60 minutes of their opening World Cup match against the hosts.

Sport Mediaset Italy claims that Real director general Jose Angel Sanchez has already held a meeting with Kovacic's representatives, Beppe Bozzo and Mario Mamic, to inquire about the player's future plans – and Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti would be willing to offer between €20 and €25m to secure the Croatian starlet's services.

Last week, Bozzo was at the Santiago Bernabeu with his partner Juanma Lopez - Alvaro Morata's agent - as they met with Real to discuss about the Morata's exit route.

The new Inter Milan owner and president Erick Thohir considers the young midfielder a key player for the future, but the report claims that he would be willing to negotiate the €20m fee.

With Sami Khedira's future becoming increasingly uncertain, Xabi Alonso showng his age and youngster Asier Illarramendi yet to prove his worth, the Champions League winners have no other choice but to continue their search for the ideal man to dominate the midfield.

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