Inter boss Roberto Mancini has conceded that they were forced to sell Mateo Kovacic due to the UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations.
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The Croatian international had been linked with a move to Liverpool all summer, with boss Brendan Rodgers keen to bolster his midfield with another deep-lying playmaker.
However, it appears as though he has missed out on his intended target as Kovacic is set to complete a move to Real Madrid instead, believed to be worth around €30m.
Mancini has now revealed that the club’s position with the FFP rules ensured that they had to sell another of their young prized assets.
“There are rules which UEFA have in place, the Financial Fair Play rules and we have to obey them,” he is quoted as saying AS.
“We’re sorry but that’s how it is. The sale of Kovačić and [Xherdan] Shaqiri will allow us to add to the team at some point further down the line.”
Liverpool will feel as though they have missed out especially after proving the strategy is worthwhile with their signing of Philippe Coutinho from the Italian outfit two years ago.
Meanwhile, it is reported that they will switch their focus to Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi instead as the Spaniard will likely be available following Kovacic’s arrival at the Bernabeu.
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