Mateo Kovacic is close to sign for Liverpool

Liverpool could bring in another midfielder after securing the signature of James Milner. To be more precise, Mateo Kovacic seems to be closer to Anfield Road and he will probably become the new aqcuisition of the cormorans after Inter Milano showed that they are open to talks over the croatian midfielder.

Who is Mateo Kovacic?

The 21 years old is one of the most talented young footballers and his price will probably be around £18 million as a Croatian newspapers announced this week. The news have also appeared in UK newspapers.

Mateo Kovacic, who has four years to go on his contract with Inter Milano, is a box to box midfielder.

Bought by the Italian side in 2013 from Dinamo Zagreb for around £11 million, his main position is in Central Midfield, but he is also capable to play as an Attacking Midfielder, or behind the striker. He is not a goal scoring machine, since he managed to score only five goals in 80 appearances for Internazionale in Serie A, assisting for nine other goals.

More than that, he is a regular player in the Croatia squad and he has already ticked 19 caps at 21 years old. Kovacic is still looking for his first goal at the national team.

Gerrard replacement?

The Croatian midfielder is seen as the perfect replacement for Steven Gerrard in the long term, playing in the same position as The Kop idol.

As you probably know, Stevie G will leave the club this summer and will join LA Galaxy for 18 months.

How will Liverpool look with Mateo Kovacic?

Liverpool has struggled this season having serious problems in every zone of the field and Kovacic could solve this midfield problems. It's possible to see three central midfielders in the next campaign, with Jordan Henderson surely in the first eleven.

Emre Can will probably be an important piece at the midfield covering the defence, while Kovacic could complete the triangle. In this case, I expect to see Coutinho behind the striker(s) or even on the flanks. This is how Liverpool's midfield could look with Kovacic in the first eleven and with Emre Can as defensive midfielder.