Manchester City target Mateo Kovacic has admitted he is looking to leave Real Madrid in search of more regular football this summer.

The Croatian midfielder joined Los Blancos from Inter Milan in 2015, a move that was widely celebrated as he was rated as one of the best up and coming central midfielders in the world.

However, three years on and it’s safe to say that although the 24-year-old is still a class act, he has not had nearly enough game time at the Spanish club.

Manchester City are said to be monitoring Kovacic’s situation at Madrid in case they are unable to reach an agreement with Napoli over a fee for Jorginho, whose move to City has been dragging on for weeks now.

Speaking to Marca, Kovacic expressed his desire to join a new club.

“I would like to play more at Real Madrid because I love football and I love being on the pitch,” Kovacic told Marca.

“I know that it’s difficult to be a starter at Real Madrid, especially when I arrived at a really young age.

“I understand the situation, but because of that I believe the best thing for me would be to go to another club where I’d have the opportunity to play regularly as a starter.

“I think I can have this opportunity and it’s one I want right now.”

Kovacic has a contract at the Bernabeu until 2021 and a release clause of €300m, but it is clear that Madrid would be willing to allow him to leave for less.