Inter’s hopes of resigning Mateo Kovacic suffered a blow today after Real Madrid slapped a €50 million price tag on the Croatian, according to AS.
Kovacic spent last season on loan with Chelsea in the Premier League and would be willing to stay with the Blues beyond 30 June.
However, Maurizio Sarri’s departure to Juventus makes this unlikely and could open the door to alternative offers.
Kovacic is not against the idea of returning to Italy and Inter are the club most likely to make an approach, but Madrid will have the final say.
Reports in Italy last week suggested Inter were hoping to bring Kovacic back to Milan on a loan deal, having picked Nicolo Barella as their main investment in midfield.
Today’s development represents bad news for the Nerazzurri and could force Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio to look elsewhere.
Kovacic made 51 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season as they finished third in the Premier League and won the Europa League.
