Real Madrid confirmed the capture of Mateo Kovacic on Tuesday, signing the player on the six-year deal.

Madrid will pay an initial €32 million to Serie A side Inter for central pass-master Kovacic, according to Guardian writers Marcus Christenson and Fabrizio Romano. However, in a separate tweet from Romano, the journalist said the fee is for €35 million.

Christenson registered surprise at the price Los Blancos are paying for the 21-year-old:

Marcus Christenson @m_christenson

Wow. Inter and Real Madrid close to agreeing €35m deal for Mateo Kovacic! (via @FabrizioRomano) Seems like a lot of money to me.

Meanwhile, freelance football writer Aleksandar Holiga was even more blunt in his assessment of the match between player and club:

Aleksandar Holiga @AlexHoliga

Kovačić to Real Madrid doesn't make any sense for the club or the player. They don't need him, he's not good enough for them and won't play.

Admittedly, it is a little difficult to work out exactly where the creative Kovacic will fit in a midfield that already features similarly technically gifted playmakers. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos currently pull the strings for La Liga outfit.

But manager Rafa Benitez is obviously keen. Christenson and Romano report the former Napoli gaffer has outbid old club Liverpool for the mercurial Croatian.