Arsenal and Tottenham to slug it out for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Roma all interested
There could be a battle of north London before a ball has even been kicked with both clubs in for the Croatian
ARSENAL and Tottenham are both eyeing a move for Real Madrid's Mateo Kovacic.
The Croatian midfielder has failed to nail down a regular starting spot with the La Liga champs, and may opt for a move elsewhere for first-team football.
And with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger ready to spend big after the failure to grab a Champions League spot, the Croatian could fit the bill.
North London rivals Spurs could also make their move for the 23-year-old, who cost the Spanish side £27million when he joined from Inter Milan back in 2015.
But Spanish news site say that any move Spurs make for Kovacic could depend on whether they keep England star Dele Alli, who has had a stunning season with the Premier League runners-up.
Only yesterday, SunSport reported how Dele Alli hinted he may have to leave Spurs in the future to fulfil his potential.
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But the England midfielder reckons there a “few better places” for him right now after another stellar campaign under Mauricio Pochettino.
His displays over the last two seasons have alerted European giants Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich to the England ace’s talents.
Alli signed a new five-year deal worth £55,000-a-week deal in September – just nine months after his last contract extension.
The 21-year-old said: “I’m always going to be thinking about what’s going to get the best out of me.
“And if that’s going to be at Tottenham or if I have to leave it’s just important I enjoy the journey and don’t get too worried about how it’s going to end."
Former Italy and Inter manager, Giovanni Trapattoni claimed Kovacic is “a mixture of Kaka and Clarence Seedorf“.
He receives the ball from deep and can drive the ball forward, while he was also used further up the field under Walter Mazzarri at Inter.