Mateo Kovacic, linked with Juventus and Inter, has told current club Real Madrid he wants to leave.
The Croatian joined the Spanish club from the Nerazzurri in 2015 but has found his first team opportunities severely limited at the Bernabeu.
And speaking to Marca, the 24-year-old revealed his belief that he needs to leave Los Blancos in order to play regularly.
“I’d like to play more for Madridbecause I love football and being on the pitch.
Mateo Kovacic, linked with Juventus and Inter, has told current club Real Madrid he wants to leave.
The Croatian joined the Spanish club from the Nerazzurri in 2015 but has found his first team opportunities severely limited at the Bernabeu.
And speaking to Marca, the 24-year-old revealed his belief that he needs to leave Los Blancos in order to play regularly.
“I’d like to play more for Madridbecause I love football and being on the pitch.
“I also know that it’s difficult to play as a starter at Madrid, especially because I was very young when I came here.
“I understand the situation, and that’s why I think it’s best if I go to another club, where I have the opportunity to play regularly as a starter.
“It’s an opportunity I think I can get and one I want right now. Every player is important at Real Madrid.
“However, the problem is that for a young player, it’s difficult to have continuity, and without that continuity I’ll never be able to show my full potential.
“When I don’t have clarity, I’m not happy. I’ve really enjoyed these three years at Madrid,
with incredible teammates, winning trophies…
“However, I haven’t been entirely happy because my contribution to all that wasn’t to the maximum and it’s something I want to change.
“I don’t know the new Coach and I’ve never spoken to him, but I know we need to talk about my future.”
Kovacic is part of Croatia’s squad at this summer’s World Cup in Russia, but has been restricted to two substitute appearances at the tournament thus far.
“I’ve been at Madridfor three years, I haven’t played too much and it’s something that has affected my status in the national team.
“It’s something that doesn’t make me happy. That’s why it’s best if I change teams. Real Madridare an extraordinary team full of great players and maybe now I’m too young to contribute fully here. I don’t know…”