Mateo Kovacic has told new Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui he still wants to leave the club this summer, claims Marca.
The Croatia international has spent the last three years at Madrid but has struggled for regular playing time during that period.
Kovacic was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City earlier this month but Pep Guardiola’s side are not willing to pay over the odds.
The 24-year-old told Lopetegui his intentions during a meeting on Friday but Madrid will still demand at least €50m (£44.6m).
Madrid have already lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus this summer, and with Gareth Bale’s future uncertain, it would be further blow to lose another player on their own accord.
Kovacic has only started 37 of a possible 114 league matches since swapping Inter for Madrid in 2015. Of the 166 players that have attempted at least 75 dribbles during that period, only Thomas Partey (81.7%) has a better success rate than Kovacic (80.4%).
