• March 19, 2024

Madrid eye Thiago Alcantara as possible replacement for Kovacic

thiago alcantara

One of the advantages of Julen Lopetegui’s early start to his managerial career at the Santiago Bernabeu is that he will have ample time to have the futures of all his players sorted out before the end of the summer transfer window.

Ahead of the 2018/19 season, one of such players who might be looking to leave Real Madrid and seek for quality playing time elsewhere is Mateo Kovacic, and Thiago Alcantara has been suggested as a possible replacement if the Croatian decides to leave this summer.

It is believed that Kovacic is not satisfied with the bit-part role he has been assigned in the team, as he got less playing time than he would have liked in the course of the 2017/18 campaign for Madrid. There are rumors that he might force his way out of the Bernabeu to a club where he will be guaranteed a starting role.

Therefore, Real Madrid are putting an eye on Bayern Munich midfielder and Spain international Thiago Alcantara. They might leverage Lopetegui’s relationship with the former Barcelona man to bring him to the Bernabeu this summer should Kovacic force his way out, although the club is not interested in letting go of him.

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Thiago Alcantara was a mainstay in the Spain team under Lopetegui and although Madrid had always had an eye on the player for his qualities on the pitch, a move had always seemed impossible owing to his links with Barcelona.

However, Bayern will be looking to reshuffle their squad under new coach Niko Kovac, and therefore, Alcantara who has been supposedly deemed dispensable in recent months can be prised away from the Bavarian giants if a fee of €70 million can be tabled for his signature.

Reports from COPE suggest that Kovacic’s representatives have asked Real Madrid to listen to offers for the Croatian this summer as a number of clubs have indicated interest in the player.

It is believed that Kovacic will get his chance if he’s patient, but the club wouldn’t want to keep an unhappy player, and therefore Thiago Alcantara has been sounded out.

However, Barcelona may also be interested in bringing back the player to the Camp Nou, and this could result in a bidding war, with Bayern Munich being immense beneficiaries in the financial aspect.

According to reports, Perez had previously wanted to sign Alcantara when he left Barcelona as his €18m release clause at the time was very attractive, but decided to back out as he had no intentions of starting a conflict with Barcelona.