Chelsea are reportedly closing in on the season-long loan signing of Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Kovacic, who was part of Croatia’s squad that finished as runners-up at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, moved to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2015 from Inter Milan but he has struggled to cement down a regular first-team place.
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The 24-year-old has made just 37 La Liga starts in three seasons and his lack of playing time appears to have finally boiled over, with the midfielder publicly announcing his desire to leave the European champions during the World Cup.
It is now being reported the Linz-born star has told Real he will not take part in training anymore and wants to be allowed the chance to leave before the summer transfer window closes.
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Madrid are said to have given up in their efforts to keep Kovacic although Los Blancos will only sanction a loan move as they are hopeful the midfielder can still be a big part of the team in the 2019/20 campaign.