The player has been linked with a move to the Red Devils
Manchester United are looking to bolster their squad in the transfer window after an underwhelming campaign last season, not winning a single silverware. They finished second in the Premier League, 19 points behind Manchester City.
Jose Mourinho prioritized the signing of a holding midfielder this summer and completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported fee of £52.5 million. Marouane Fellaini also signed a contract extension until 2020 after it was thought that he will leave this summer.
But the Portuguese manager wants more signings before the transfer window and it is believed that he still wants to sign another midfielder. They have been linked with a move for Real Madrid ace Mateo Kovacic this summer.
The Croatia International joined the La Liga giants from Inter Milan for a reported fee €35 million in 2015. He established himself as one of the most promising players in Serie A before moving to Spain.
He has already won three consecutive Champions League and one La Liga title with the Spanish side.
But since joining them, the Croatian has struggled to lock down a starting role at the Santiago Bernabeu. He has failed to oust countryman Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casimero who have been the mainstay at midfield in the past couple of seasons and often been reduced to the bench.
The 24 year old just managed to start 37 La Liga games in the last three year and appeared 32 times in all competitions last season.
The midfielder reportedly wants to leave the club in order for regular game time and ESPN FC pundit Steve Nicol has backed Manchester United to sign Kovacic.
“It depends on whether Jose Mourinho is going to try and change his style a little bit,” Nicol told ESPN FC as quoted by Express.
“I don’t see how he can’t; he can’t expect to be at Manchester United for much longer if his teams continue to play the way they have done since he arrived.
“I think Kovacic would just give them a little extra something.
“Kovacic will work hard, there’s no question about that. But he also has the ability and the flare going forward to create.
I think this would be a good move for Manchester United.
“I’m going to say it will happen, because it should. Whether it does, I’m not so certain.
“But I think for Manchester United, this would be a good move. I’m going to say it happens, yep.”
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