Mateo Kovacic 'wants Chelsea stay instead of Real Madrid return'

On-loan Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is reportedly eager to stay at the club beyond the end of the current season.

Kovacic has made 41 appearances for the Blues under Maurizio Sarri so far this term, but the club have so far offered no firm indication that they are willing to turn his loan move from Real Madrid into a permanent one.

The short-term contract expires at the end of the season and there is no obligation or option to buy included in the agreement, meaning that Chelsea would need to discuss fresh terms with Madrid.

Madrid are open to the idea of selling the Croatia international this summer, and Goal.com reports that he is keen to remain at Stamford Bridge amid the uncertainty over his future.

However, the situation is complicated by the transfer ban currently hanging over Chelsea's head, and if that does not get overturned before the summer then the Londoners will not be able to bring any new players to the club.

The future of Sarri, who has regularly played Kovacic this season, also remains up in the air amid growing fan pressure for the club to sack the Italian.

Kovacic sees no future for himself at Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane, though, and is hopeful that terms can be agreed to keep him in West London.