Real Madrid have not given up on Luka Jovic, but they believe the best place for him to recapture his form and confidence is back at Eintracht Frankfurt, with the Serbian joining the German club on a six-month loan deal.
Jovic returns to the club where he made his biggest impact, scoring 28 goals in the 2018/19 season, and he will now have the chance to play regular football, something he has never been afforded in the Spanish capital.
"We have to keep in mind that I haven't played regularly for one and a half years, and I will need some time to regain my rhythm," Jovic explained to Eintracht's official website.
"I have been able to train with some of the best players in the world at Real Madrid, and I'm sure everything will work out.
"I have definitely continued to improve and develop my game."
When pressed on his desire to return to a familiar environment, Jovic was very complimentary about the structure in place at Eintracht.
"To be honest, I have missed the club a lot since I left," Jovic admitted.
"I have always followed the club and their games whilst I was away, and I'm happy to return.
"For me, there is no question about giving my best to help the team."