Liverpool have supposedly verbally agreed to sign Kovacic with Philippe Coutinho’s future still up in the air.
Barcelona have so far had three bids for the Liverpool star rejected but are set to launch a huge £138million bid in an effort to finally lure him away from Merseyside.
Coutinho himself is hellbent on joining Barcelona and history suggests it is only a matter of time before the 25-year-old moves to the Nou Camp.
Kovacic has enjoyed a fine start to the season in La Liga with Real Madrid - despite often being behind the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro in the pecking order.
Real Madrid have acknowledged they must give Liverpool target Mateo Kovacic more game time
But Spanish outlet Don Balon say the Reds may miss out on the Croatia international.
It is said Madrid are determined to keep the midfielder and, as a result, Zidane is willing to give him more game time.
Juventus are also keen on Kovacic as they aim to win a seventh Serie A title on the trot.
But Real see him as a vital asset and an experienced head following the departure of James Rodriguez to Bayern Munich earlier this summer.
Speaking back in May, the player’s agent Nikky Vuksan said there was ‘no chance’ of the player leaving the Bernabeu.
GETTY
Real Madrid star Mateo Kovacic is wanted by Liverpool
GETTY
Zinedine Zidane may give Liverpool target Mateo Kovacic more game time at Real Madrid
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"Mateo has a very long contract with Real Madrid, until 2021,” he said.
"Therefore I do not understand all of these rumours, all of this speculation about his future.
“Kovacic plays for a great club like Real Madrid and is very happy. Each day I listen and read news stories that explain a possible exit, but it is not true, at all.
"Kovacic will not leave Real Madrid, he will stay, (I can) safely (say that). All the rest is not true.”
