Chelsea have no plans to sign Mateo Kovacic on a permanent basis, according to reports in the English media.
The Croatian international has featured prominently since joining the Blues on loan from Real Madrid in the summer.
Most fans on Twitter want Kovacic to stay, with many not believing the source for the story:
Dis must be a joke
— 2tor (@2tor1) 3 November 2018
And I’ll take this with a pinch of salt
— AlisonWithOneL (@AlisonCoops2224) 2 November 2018
Chelsea better sign him cus we need World class players on our team
— Érhuvwu O.A (@erhuvwu_) 2 November 2018
Imagine this thrash,chelsea will not sign kovacic because of Barkley and cheek and you know why because kovacic haven’t or doesn’t score goals but even if bark and cheek doesn’t move or play as good as he does but scores.they are better.english media are very wonderful
— AUGUSTINE BONNEY (@BonneyAugustine) 2 November 2018
Fake news
— Abrantie (@dLegoHouse) 2 November 2018
Way to early to say that! Plus Chelsea need a squad of top players.
— Jezwho (@just_a_habit_) 2 November 2018
— Neji (@nalKB24) 2 November 2018
Chelsea do not have a purchase option in the midfielder’s season-long loan deal so it’s probably unlikely that the London club have really explored the possibility of making a bid for the player.
The form of Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will also play a role in whether an offer is made for Kovacic in the summer.
The England internationals have certainly been in good form in the early stages of the season, but manager Maurizio Sarri will be keen to see how they perform across the whole season.
Kovacic has started ten of the Blues’ 15 games so far this campaign, and if he continues to play regularly until his loan expires in the summer, the club will no doubt seriously consider signing him permanently.
