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Real Madrid have landed Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan after the Croatian is believed to have penned down a six-year deal with the La Liga giants.
The highly rated 21-year-old midfielder, who has been with the Nerazzurri for the past two years, has been under Los Blancos’ radar recently and speculations of a move to the Santiago Bernabeu fuelled up in the past few days.
Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini had stated this past Sunday that the FFP rules forced his side to sell off Kovacic and now it has been confirmed that both parties have agreed terms after Madrid splashed out €35m for the Croatian.
Kovacic is set to be unveiled at the Bernabeu on Wednesday after he clears his medical for his new club.
The official statement on Madrid’s website read, "Real Madrid and Inter have agreed to the transfer of Mateo Kovacic."
"He will remain at the club for the next six seasons."
Kovacic scored 8 goals for Inter Milan over two seasons
Kovacic arrived in Italy two seasons back after he joined the Serie A outfit from Dynamo Zagreb. In a total of 97 appearances with Inter, the Croatian has scored 8 goals and assisted 9. Also in the U-21 category of players in Europe’s top 5 leagues, he ranks second in the most number of take-ons made.
The former Zagreb man also completed 11 through balls in Serie A last season which was more than any other player. His pass average per game over the last season was 67.26 % which was better than Madrid’s household midfield names such as Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Isco and James Rodriguez.
Kovacic joins fellow Croatian and his idol Modric in Madrid and is expected to partner alongside him in Blancos’ midfield. However, with the amount of quality players at their disposal, it is certainly going to be tough challenge for the 21-year-old to break into the first team. Madrid begin their new La Liga campaign away against Sporting Gijon on August 24.
