Sarri: “I’d like to keep Kovacic”

Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic has almost completed his loan deal in Chelsea and Italian coach Maurizio Sarri revealed that he’d like to keep the player in London for next season.

“He’s here on a loan deal, of course, but I’d love to keep Kovacic with us. You know that we’re in trouble for that position because we only have Jorginho,” said Sarri to the press when asked about Kovacic.

Chelsea received a transfer ban and they are quite unlikely to sign Kovacic on a permanent deal next summer unless the two clubs find a legal way to include him in a potential package centered around Eden Hazard. Madrid are reportedly very keen on the Belgian attacker and they could be happy to part ways with Kovacic if that means that Hazard signs for a more reasonable price.

Kovacic pushed for a move away from Madrid last summer as he tried to earn a role as a starter elsewhere. Given that his situation in the Spanish capital hasn’t changed —assuming both Modric and Kroos stay—, it looks like Kovacic won’t be wearing the white shirt next season either.