Real Madrid Transfer News: Mateo Kovacic Reportedly Asks to Leave

Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic has reportedly asked new manager Julen Lopetegui to let him leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

The Croatia international met Lopetegui for talks on Friday and informed the 51-year-old he is "determined" to quit the club, according to Marca's Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa and Carlos Carpio.

Kovacic has previously explained he wants to move to another club, as he wants to play more regularly, per Garcia-Ochoa.

The 24-year-old made only 10 starts in La Liga and four in the UEFA Champions League for Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane last season. 

He was part of the Croatia squad that made it to the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, his only start came in the final group game over Iceland when manager Zlatko Dalic opted to rotate his squad.

Squawka Football showed how he fared in Russia:

Kovacic arrived at Real Madrid from Inter Milan in 2015 but has failed to force his way into the team on a regular basis. His preferred position is as a holding midfielder, but his versatility means he has been used in a variety of roles at Real Madrid.

There is fierce competition for places at the Bernabeu. Kovacic is behind Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the pecking order, a situation that looks unlikely to change soon.

The Croatian has won a league title and three Champions League crowns with Los Blancos. However, he remains a bit-part player and his desire to leave in search of regular football is understandable.

Manchester City have been put off a move for Kovacic by Real Madrid's asking price of £80 million, according to Sky Sports.

Kovacic is a useful back-up option, but Real Madrid may not want to keep a player who clearly wants out. The Spanish club's asking price may also prove problematic with clubs unwilling to spend big on a player who has been used so sparingly.