Kovacic set for medical ahead of loan move to Chelsea

Mateo Kovacic is set to join Chelsea on a season-long loan, after starting only 37 La Liga games in the last three seasons.

Kovacic will undergo a medical ahead of a loan-move to Chelsea later today. The Croatian was the part of the team which reached the final of the World Cup this summer.

Mateo Kovacic stated earlier that he wants to leave Santiago Bernabeu, primarily due to lack of game time. At Chelsea, Kovacic is likely to be the part of three-man midfield, alongside Jorginho and Kante.

Evening Standard’s journalist Simon Johnson, and many British outlets have now reported that Kovacic is in London ahead of the loan move.

The loan-move will also reportedly have an option to buy the player at the end of the season. The move will also trigger the departure of Chelsea midfielder Timoue Bakayoko, who is set to join AC Milan on a season-long loan.

While Real Madrid are losing their player to Chelsea, the London club is also returning the favour. However, the latter is a permanent transfer. Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is set to arrive in Madrid on Thursday to complete his move to Santiago Bernabeu.

Courtois earlier told Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri that he wants to leave the club. The Belgian goalkeeper stated his desire to move closer to his family, which currently resides in Madrid.