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Following yesterday’s reports form Spain that Mateo Kovacic’s chances of returning to Real Madrid after this season are “next to none”, the Evening Standard today reports that Chelsea have “opened talks” over his transfer with his parent club.
Kovacic moved to Chelsea on loan in the summer from Real Madrid — possibly as some part of the cut-rate Thibaut Courtois deal — and while it looks like the rumored buyout-clause has proven to be fake news, the 24-year-old’s future may yet lie at Stamford Bridge.
#cfc have already started talking to Real Madrid about the possibility of signing #Kovacic on a permanent basis. More here: https://t.co/39gjEK18o4
— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) December 5, 2018
Both today’s and yesterday’s news agree that even though Kovacic’s relationship with Real Madrid appears to be beyond repair, the Spanish giants will look to turn a decent profit on the €29m they paid to nab the midfielder from Inter Milan in 2015. That number will only get higher if, as claimed in Spain, other teams like Spurs get involved as well — though hopefully Mateo will have bought into the Chelsea Way enough to reject any approach from London rivals.
That said, assuming that Chelsea can negotiate an acceptable price, Kovacic staying permanently after this season should be a good thing for the club, and will have justified the minutes given to him ahead of players actually on the club’s books already.
Poll
Should Chelsea pursue the permanent transfer of Mateo Kovacic?
This poll is closed
-
11%
Yes, at any and all cost
(160 votes) -
58%
Yes, but only at reasonable cost (whatever that my be)
(829 votes) -
18%
Yes, but only if we get a great deal.
(263 votes) -
9%
No, we have RLC/Barkley/etc
(138 votes) -
1%
No, he’s not good enough
(21 votes)