Report: Real Madrid Unwilling to Sell Mateo Kovacic Amid Manchester City Rumours

Real Madrid are reportedly insistent that Mateo Kovacic is not for sale despite the fact he has told the club he wants to leave.

According to Sergio Santos Chozas of AS, the Croatian has told new manager Julen Lopetegui he is unhappy at the Santiago Bernabeu due to his lack of game time and wants a move, but Real have told suitors Manchester City, Roma and Bayern Munich he is not on the market. 

Chozas added that Madrid remain calm about the situation and that Lopetegui hopes to convince Kovacic to stay by promising he will be more involved in the first team, especially with Luka Modric turning 33 in September.

Kovacic, 24, is the natural heir for his compatriot in the centre of Real's midfield alongside Toni Kroos. 

It is no surprise, though, that he is frustrated with his current lot in Madrid.

Kovacic joined Real from Inter Milan in 2015 but has since only made 37 La Liga starts in three full seasons.

As noted by Chozas, he has also not been afforded a minute in any of Real's three consecutive UEFA Champions League final victories.

Kovacic has the ability to be a regular first-team player at a number of top clubs, as he boasts an impeccable passing range and fantastic quality on the ball:

Were it not for the presence of Kroos and Modric in Real's squad, arguably the best central pairing in club football, the Croatia international would surely be a regular at the Bernabeu as well.

Lopetegui will need to give him assurances his days as a back-up are nearly over or Kovacic may well force a move away from Real.