Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is in talks over a potential move to Zenit St Petersburg.
The 24-year-old Croatia international is on loan from Real Madrid for the season but there is no option to buy in his contract and his representatives are working on his next move after holding talks this week.
Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri said last month that he wished to make Kovacic's loan permanent. However, Sarri's own position is in doubt and Chelsea will only be able to acquire Kovacic if their appeal to FIFA against a two-window transfer ban, which was heard last Thursday, results in the punishment being overturned or delayed.
'I want to try with Kovacic,' said Sarri. 'He is only on loan, of course, but I'd like very much that Kovacic will stay with us.
'You know very well that, in that position, we have some problems because we have only Jorginho. In my opinion, Kovacic could become a very good central midfielder.'
It's understood Zinedine Zidane is happy to allow Real Madrid to seek a permanent sale as he looks to use funds to overhaul his tired squad with Chelsea's Eden Hazard top of his wishlist.
Kovacic has made 43 appearances and is favoured by Sarri but has failed to convince many at Stamford Bridge. He has started regularly in the Europa League and often alternated with Ross Barkley in midfield.
Zenit are top of the Russian League and have former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic among their ranks.
Jdonnellan7
0
He won’t leave
fuadlost
2
let the player and agent choose them selves don't mislead them with your comments.
Cuuceilns
0
This would have been the season for Kovacic to shine if he had stayed in Madrid given that Madrid tried out so many players in the midfield position this season. I think he still has what it takes to be a galactico if Zidane would be willing. This guy stole the midfield from PSG last season when Kroos and Modric were injured for the first leg tie in Paris which Madrid won.
Exactly bro
Cukbckorty
2
I think we should stay in Chelsea because he have more chance better than Real Madrid
kehadelpru
1
he's better than jorginho
tataceios
0
He's not even worth 30m
stop it
tataceios
0
Even if he was free, I wouldn't take him!
lol ok
tataceios
0
You should have stayed in Madrid,,, look at you now kovacic
only reason he left is because you never gave him a chance so this on you
tataceios
0
Aendeee. He offers very little as a player
not true
tataceios
0
There is a god
stop it
tataceios
1
imma waiting of a rumor for Jorginho.
King Jorgi is going absolutely nowhere
iam10nzz
0
This would have been the season for Kovacic to shine if he had stayed in Madrid given that Madrid tried out so many players in the midfield position this season. I think he still has what it takes to be a galactico if Zidane would be willing. This guy stole the midfield from PSG last season when Kroos and Modric were injured for the first leg tie in Paris which Madrid won.
Nutackpu
1
fake news all the time
McSinClaire
1
imma waiting of a rumor for Jorginho.
AladeHammed
1
Just Rumour everywhere....
lepcdz
1
There is a god
Zinacilops
1
Klopp Was Just Like Sarri When He First Came To Liverpool. The Season Where Liverpool Didn't Even Finish Top 6, LFC Fans Was Going So Wild With A "Sack Klopp" Movement. But do you know how he became successful? A Club With A Patient Board. A Club That Want A Manager To Perform World Class Just In 1 Season. Be Patient With Sarri & We Could Be One Of The Best In Europe Again. This is something I've been so frustrated with Chelsea For the past 15 Years [Sadtolook][Sadtolook][Sadtolook]
**A Club That Doesn't Need Their Manager To Perform World Class In One Season**
Zinacilops
1
This coach need to be sack look at the nonsense he saying from his mouth we have some problems because we have only Jorginho in the position, that lazy and sluggish player
Klopp Was Just Like Sarri When He First Came To Liverpool. The Season Where Liverpool Didn't Even Finish Top 6, LFC Fans Was Going So Wild With A "Sack Klopp" Movement. But do you know how he became successful? A Club With A Patient Board. A Club That Want A Manager To Perform World Class Just In 1 Season. Be Patient With Sarri & We Could Be One Of The Best In Europe Again. This is something I've been so frustrated with Chelsea For the past 15 Years [Sadtolook][Sadtolook][Sadtolook]
fowabopyz
1
,since 2017 he hasn't scored a goal for both club and country
Lightnation2323
2
This coach need to be sack look at the nonsense he saying from his mouth we have some problems because we have only Jorginho in the position, that lazy and sluggish player
ruadmnry
1
Aendeee. He offers very little as a player
Realmadridforlife555
6
You should have stayed in Madrid,,, look at you now kovacic
kennyblue
1
he is not serious
faxing
1
He's been 50/50 with the fans this season, they either like him or don't. It's true he doesn't know how to score a goal but he's still a great midfielder. For me, I wouldn't be bothered if we don't get him permanently.
Lenlife
1
Even if he was free, I wouldn't take him!
Jamesing
0
Good ,he can go right now
abofeuy
1
A player that cant play 90 minutes. Always tired.
pardonol
1
He's not even worth 30m
KuGoo
1
Transfer ban？
nesikopuyz
2
He should go to Inter Milan at most
Donahue
2
I'll drive him back to Madrid myself.
Sopaid01
0
Good luck 👍
Armourer
2
No thanks， send him back to Madrid
Weccilmos
3
let him have his move so that he can experience how is the game because playing with big club can't gives u much task especially were in Chelsea have a lot of midfielders
vanderlinde
1
Are you kidding me this guy is so talented... Way above zenits level
Mozcdknuz
1
Wish him the best
InfinitiStryker
3
Is he mad...such talented player...going to Zenit...with all due respect to Zenit...Kovacic is a player on loan from Real Madrid at Chelsea..he would be stupid to go to Zenit where everyone will forget about him