Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic has suggested he is open to making his loan switch at Chelsea permanent at the end of the season.
Kovacic joined Chelsea from Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal in the summer but Maurizio Sarri’s side do not have an option to sign him on a full-time basis.
The 24-year-old won the Champions League in each of his three seasons at Madrid but failed to nail down a regular starting berth for Los Blancos in that time.
Kovacic pushed to leave Madrid in the summer and has hinted he would consider remaining at Chelsea beyond the end of the season after getting a run of games at Stamford Bridge.
“I think it was the most important thing I did for now in my career,” Kovacic told Sky Sports when asked whether he is pleased with the loan move.
“It was a step I wanted a lot, I wanted to come here. I say thank you to my previous club, to Chelsea as well, who wanted me a lot. I am enjoying it and I like it a lot here.
“For now, I am happy here. The city is amazing, the club is one of the best in the world, and my team-mates are great.
“I need to respect my previous club, Real Madrid. I can imagine myself staying here, but I have a contract I need to respect, and that is what I will do.”
With 33-year-old Luka Modric coming to the end of his best years, Madrid may have no interest in selling Kovacic and eye the Croatia international as Modric’s long-term replacement.
Kovacic has started 12 league matches for Chelsea this season, already more than he managed during the entirety of last season for Madrid (10).
Of Chelsea players that have started more than one league game, Kovacic has the best pass success rate (92.6%).
