Real Madrid rule out sale of misfiring striker Luka Jovic

Real Madrid insist they are counting on out-of-sorts striker Luka Jovic next season despite being linked with a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Spanish giants shelled out in excess of £50m to sign Jovic from Bundesliga side Frankfurt last summer following a hugely impressive 2018/19 campaign.

Jovic has, however, endured a nightmare first season at Madrid and appeared destined to leave the club after just 12 months.

The 22-year-old also came in for criticism after appearing to flout lockdown rules to fly back to Serbia at the start of March.

Despite the fact Arsenal captain Aubameyang is a reported transfer target for Madrid this summer, Zinedine Zidane's side ruled out Jovic's sale in a statement to Spanish outlet AS.

Jovic emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Europe last season after playing a direct hand in 22 goals in 32 league appearances for Frankfurt.

The Serbia international also played an integral part in Frankfurt's unlikely run to the Europa League semi-finals with a 10-goal haul but he has failed to replicate that form for Madrid.

Limited to just four league starts from a total of 15 LaLiga appearances this season, Jovic has returned just two goals in his first league campaign for Madrid.