Sarri Wants Permanent Transfer For Midfielder

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is targeting a permanent transfer for midfielder Mateo Kovacic ahead of the resumption of this summer’s transfer window.

Sarri told reporters during his pre-match press conference ahead of the West Ham game that he will like to turn the player’s loan deal at the club into a permanent transfer.

Mateo Kovacic is on a season-long loan deal at Chelsea from outgoing European champions Real Madrid having joined the Blues last summer.

He was a makeweight in the £35m transfer that took Belgian international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid.

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Since his move to Chelsea at the start of the season, Mateo Kovacic has played 41 times for the Blues this term and the Croatian player has helped Chelsea to maintain their push for the Europa League title as well as a place in the top four of the Premier League.

Kovacic would be hoping to continue his good form for Chelsea when they host London rivals West Ham United in their Premier League clash on Monday night.

A win for Chelsea will take the Blues to third spot on the Premier League table ahead of the North London duo of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues started the weekend in fifth place but they could end two places higher after the West Ham United game.