Kovacic asks Lopetegui to allow him to leave Real Madrid Transfer Market - Real Madrid Insisting on an exit

World Cup runner-up Mateo Kovacic has not changed his mind and is determined to leave Real Madrid this summer after meeting with Julen Lopetegui on Friday.

The meeting took place at the training ground in Valdebebas as the midfielder made his intentions clear.

There was a cordial atmosphere, although the two were not together for long given that the former Internazionale man was straight to the point in wanting an exit this summer.

It was no surprise to the coach, but Kovacic has considered his plans since May and remains of the same thinking as MARCA revealed on June 23.

"I would like to play more at Madrid because I love football and being on the pitch," he told MARCA at that point.

"I know that at Madrid it's difficult to be a starter, especially because I arrived very young.

"I understand the situation but that's why I think it's best for me to go to another club where I will have the chance to play regularly as a starter.

"It's an opportunity that I think I can have and I want it now."

After three seasons at the club and always performing and training admirably, the door into the first team has never opened for the Croatian.

Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have made the starting trio their own, with Kovacic restricted to a secondary role.

Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Manchester United and Liverpool are just some of the clubs to have shown an interest and offered a more important position in the squad.

At just 24-years-old and with a well stocked trophy cabinet featuring three Champions League titles, one LaLiga, two European Super Cups, two Club World Cups and a Spanish Super Cup, he thinks it could be the time to move on.

"The problem is that it's difficult for a young player to have continuity and without that I will never be able to show my potential," he explained when speaking to MARCA.

"When I don't play of course I'm not happy.

"I've enjoyed these three years in Madrid hugely, with incredible teammates, winning trophies... But I haven't been completely happy because my contribution to all of this has not been the biggest and it's something I want to change."

The ball is now in the club's court and until now they have refused to grant him his wish.

Having met with the coach only five days after a World Cup final shows just how serious Kovacic is in his desire and his hopes of resolving his future as soon as possible.

In Madrid, key figures are now beginning to think that they may have no choice but to allow him to leave, but if that is to be the case, it will be for at least 50 million euros.