Real Madrid are poised to complete the signing of 21-year-old midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan, raising questions about who might be about to leave the club to make way for the new arrival.

The Croatia international was pulled out of a friendly with AEK Athens on Sunday and is expected to move to Spain for £25million.

If the Inter No 10 is used as an attacking midfielder then it will create a surplus of players who want to play the same position and with Arsenal and Manchester City interested in Karim Benzema and Isco respectively, both clubs will be encouraged by Real Madrid’s latest acquisition.

Mateo Kovacic has been pulled from an Inter Milan friendly as he is expected to join Real Madrid

Croatia international Kovacic looks set to join fellow countryman Luka Modric at the La Liga giants

Kovacic's move could boost Liverpool's chances of signing Real Madrid outcast Asier Illaramendi

If Rafa Benitez’s intention is to play Kovacic deeper alongside his international team-mate Luka Modric, then it will spell the end for Asier Illaramendi who has been linked with Liverpool.

Personal terms between club and player have been finalised but the two clubs are yet to close the deal with Real Madrid keen for left back Fabio Coentrao to move the other way lowering the price from £25m to £20m.

Kovacic broke through at Dynamo Zagreb aged just 16 and signed for Inter in 2013 but after making 80 appearances for them, and despite signing a new contract until 2019 last season, he looks set to move to Spain.

The arrival of another young prospect follows Madrid’s recent policy of signing for the future. He joins 19-year-old Marco Asensio and 16-year-old Martin Odegaard at the club although both teenagers are likely to be loaned out this season.

What Madrid supporters are now asking is who else must make way for the new arrival?

Isco and Benzema both want regular first-team football and Illaramendi is sliding even further down the pecking order.

Benitez will be asked on Monday how he intends to fit them all in as he gives a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s final friendly of the season against Galatasaray.

Isco (centre) could be allowed to leave the Santiago Bernabeu following Kovacic's arrival at the club