Barcelona are reportedly tracking the progress of young Inter midfielder Mateo Kovacic as they continue to look for a long-term replacement for club captain Xavi.
The 20-year-old Croatian has been an integral part of the Nerazzurri’s team this season and is said to be attracting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
Tuttosport report that Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio was at Camp Nou on Wednesday evening to discuss the future of Kovacic with Barca counterpart Ariedo Braida, the former sporting director of AC Milan.
Due to the recently upheld transfer ban imposed on the Catalan club by FIFA the earliest they could do a deal for Kovacic would be January 2016, with the San Siro club valuing the player at around €40 million.
The former Dinamo Zagreb man has made 25 Serie A appearances this season, scoring five goals.
