Chelsea are reportedly set to snap up Tottenham Hotspur target Mateo Kovacic on loan.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Chelsea are set to sign Real Madrid mdifielder Mateo Kovacic on loan for the season in a shock move.
The Blues have added a couple of new faces this summer, with Robert Green and Jorginho both arriving to boost new manager Maurizio Sarri’s squad.
Despite having Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek at his disposal, Sarri is keen on another attacking midfield option to fill the ‘Marek Hamsik role’ in his 4-3-3 system.
Now, Spanish newspaper Marca report that Chelsea are set to complete a shock deal, as Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic is nearing a season-long loan move to Stamford Bridge.
The Croatian star, 24, may be familiar to Sarri having spent time in Italy with Inter Milan, but he has found first-team football hard to come by with Real Madrid since his 2015 move to the Spanish capital.
A move may be confirmed imminently, but if one club should be looking to hijack the move, it’s Tottenham Hotspur – just as Chelsea did to them with Willian in 2013.
The Telegraph reported earlier this summer that Kovacic was a top target for manager Mauricio Pochettino, with the Croatian having the dribbling ability to drive through midfield just like Mousa Dembele.
Tottenham still haven’t made a single signing this summer, but hearing that Kovacic is heading out on loan should spark them into life, and they must at least attempt to swoop in and offer Kovacic an alternative.
Spurs can offer Champions League football, which Chelsea can’t this season, whilst he would be given a key role under Pochettino, and a loan deal would fit into Daniel Levy’s financial plan – and Spurs must ask the question about whether they’re too late to bring Kovacic to North London instead of seeing him sign for rivals Chelsea.
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