Real Madrid have added another player to their already swollen midfield ranks after agreeing to sign Croatian international Mateo Kovacic from Inter subject to a medical.

Real said yesterday that the 21-year-old had agreed a six-year contract and would be presented at the Bernabeu stadium today.

No financial details were disclosed yesterday but Spanish media reported the transfer fee was around 30 million euros.

Kovacic is viewed as ideal backup for Croatia team-mate Luka Modric and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos at Real.

He will compete for a place with the likes of James Rodriguez, Isco, Asier Illarramendi, Casemiro and Lucas Silva although his arrival could prompt the exit of at least one of those players.

“With unquestionable technical ability, Kovacic stands out for his ball control, his dribbling and his passing into space,” Real Madrid said in a statement yesterday.

“These attributes allow him to play as an attacking midfielder as well as a little further back where his high percentage of successful passes is a sure means of getting the side moving.”