Mateo Kovacic has put Manchester City and Manchester United on alert after confirming he still wants to leave Real Madrid despite the arrival of new boss Julen Lopetegui.
The Croatian, who feels his national team chances have been damaged by a lack of playing time at the Bernabeu, is fed up with his current situation and is demanding to leave the Spanish capital.
Kovacic, 24, was limited to just 21 La Liga games in 2017/18 as the likes of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and compatriot Luka Modric kept him out of Zinedine Zidane’s starting lineup.
The midfielder won the Champions League in all three seasons with Madrid after signing in a £25million deal from Inter Milan in 2015, but grew increasingly frustrated at a bench role.
Despite Zidane being replaced by Lopetegui after the latter’s ignominious departure from the Spanish national team job, Marca report that talks with the new boss did not persuade Kovacic he was a wanted man.
Both Manchester United and cross-town rivals City are said to be pursuing the player, who will command at least £44m to activate his release clause.
United have been tracking central midfield talent all summer, first picking up Brazilian Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk for £52m and featuring heavily in the race for Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
But with the Italians holding out for £88m for Milinkovic-Savic and United desperate for another high-end partner for World Cup winner Paul Pogba, their attention has turned to Kovacic.
Boss Jose Mourinho may face competition from old rival Pep Guardiola however, who is looking for alternatives after missing out on Napoli man Jorginho, who joined Chelsea despite agreeing a £46m deal with City.
With Ilkay Gundogan also linked with a move away from the Etihad as Barcelona continue to show interest, City and United could be headed for a vicious bidding war to secure the signature of Kovacic.
The Croatian endured a frustrating World Cup, starting just once – the group stage dead rubber against Iceland – and failing to make it onto the pitch in either the semi-final or final as his country recorded their best ever finish at a major tournament.
Barred from the runners-up’s starting XI by Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brozovic, Kovacic aired his concerns during the tournament, and laid the blame at the feet of his club.
He told Marca: “I want to play more and the best thing is to leave Madrid.
“I think that in Real Madrid all the players are important.
“The problem is that for a young player it is difficult to have continuity and without that continuity I will never be able to show my potential.
“I’ve been in Madrid for three years and I have not played too much and that’s something that has affected my status in the national team.
“It’s something that does not make me happy, that’s why it’s best to change teams.”
With just over two weeks left until the Premier League transfer window slams shut on August 9, Kovacic, who speaks five languages including English, will be hoping either United or City are able secure a move as soon as possible.