Liverpool FC lead Juventus in race to sign Real Madrid's Mateo Kovacic

Liverpool FC have raced ahead of Juventus in the race to land Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic’s signature, if reports from the Italian media are to be believed.

Kovacic, who has had a difficult season at Real Madrid and failed to find regular first team action, has been heavily linked with a move back to the Serie A, with the likes of Juventus and AS Roma said to be interested in signing him.

However, Sky Sport Italia [via Football Italia] reported that Liverpool want to bring the 22-year-old to Anfield, in an attempt to bolster their midfield.

Real Madrid are said to be willing to let Kovacic leave this summer as the midfielder has failed to impress the bosses at the Santiago Bernabeu. In fact, Kovacic was given just eight starts in last season’s La Liga campaign.

While both Juventus and Roma have been linked with a move for Kovacic, latest reports suggest that Liverpool have shot ahead in the race to land the Real Madrid midfielder. Both the Italian clubs are said to be looking for a loan deal for Kovacic, with an option to buy him, at the end of the 2016/17 season.

However, according to reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio’s website, Liverpool are offering to buy Kovacic outright. Real Madrid are said to be inclined towards a direct, straight-forward deal for the Croat, rather than a loan deal with an option to buy later. This puts Liverpool in pole position to land the 22-year-old.

Can Klopp turn Kovacic’s career around?

Liverpool have had a bitter-sweet season under manager Jurgen Klopp in 2015/16. They managed to reach the finals of the League Cup and the Europa League, but ended as runners-up in both the competitions. Inconsistency in the league meant that the Reds managed only a top half finish in the Premier League. In an attempt to get better results next season, Liverpool are expected to overhaul their squad this summer.

Kovacic could add a lot of impetus to the Liverpool midfield, as the Croat can control the pace of the game. The 22-year-old has proved with whatever little game-time he got at Real Madrid last season, that he can create a lot of chances. In fact, his rate of creating chances has been better than Liverpool midfielders like Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, and Lucas Leiva.

Former Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is known for spotting talented footballers when they are young. He is also well known for using unconventional techniques to help a player develop his skill-set. Klopp had famously asked last season’s Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski to play a season as an attacking midfielder, in order to gain a better understanding of the game.

After a disappointing season at the Santiago Bernabeu, Kovacic will be hoping for a move that propels him back to the heights that had earned him the €31 million switch to Real Madrid. Compared to his other options (Juventus and Roma), Liverpool seems to be the perfect move for Kovacic right now.