Real Madrid star Mateo Kovacic sensationally reveals he wants to leave club… putting Tottenham and Manchester United on alert
Croatia international failed to nail starting spot under ex-boss Zinedine Zidane and says desire for more game time is behind decision
MATEO KOVACIC has sensationally revealed he wants to leave Real Madrid - putting Spurs and Manchester United on red alert.
The Croatia midfielder used the front page of Spanish newspaper Marca to tell the world he wants out.
Kovacic, 24, failed to nail down a starting spot under former boss Zinedine Zidane but has attracted interest from the Premier League heavyweights.
And he says his desire for regular first-team football lies behind his shock decision.
Kovacic, who has won the Champions League three times with Los Blancos and has a £44million release clause, said: "I want to play more and the best thing is to leave Madrid.
"I love football and being on the pitch, I want the opportunity to be a starter for another team.
WE'RE RON THE BALL All the latest action, news, goals and gossip from the World Cup
"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.
"When I do not play, I am not happy.
"These three years in Madrid, with some incredible team-mates, winning trophies... but I have not been completely happy because my contribution to all that has not been the maximum and it's something I want to change.
"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."