Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has confirmed that he would like Mateo Kovacic to stay on a permanent basis.

The Croatian is currently on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, but the Blues have no option to buy the player. Things are further complicated by the club’s transfer ban.

However, Sarri thinks Kovacic’s technical ability makes him the perfect fit for playing as a central midfielder in his team:

“No, I want to try with Kovacic. 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.”

Sarri is, of course, assuming that he will still be in charge next season for Kovacic’s transfer to be finalised. In addition, Chelsea’s transfer embargo will need to be lifted when their appeal is heard on Thursday.

If FIFA opt against lifting their ban, Kovacic will return to the Bernabeu in the summer with no way of bringing him back.

The Croatian international has been a regular for the Blues this campaign, having played 42 times in all competitions. He has yet to score a goal for the London club and has just two assists to his name.