Chelsea on verge of stunning loan move for Real Madrid midfielder

Chelsea are closing in on a staggering loan move for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic, claims Spanish outlet Marca.

Kovacic is desperate to leave Madrid this summer and is reportedly prepared to go in strike in a bid to force through a transfer.

The European giants are reluctant to lose Kovacic but the Croatia international looks set to secure a move away from the club.

Chelsea have already signed Jorginho to bolster their midfield options but new head coach Maurizio Sarri wants one more new face in the middle of the park.

Reports claim the Premier League giants could even announce Kovacic’s arrival by the end of today, with the 24-year-old due in London.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will have an option to make Kovacic’s stay permanent at the end of the season.

Madrid have endured a nightmare summer thus far, starting with the shock exit of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Luka Modric is also considering his future at the club and now his international team-mate, Kovacic, is on the brink of leaving.

Madrid completed a shock deal for Kovacic in 2015 but the dynamic midfielder has struggled for regular playing time since then.

Kovacic has never started 20 league games in a single campaign during his time at Madrid, instead being used in rotation.

Of the 117 players that have attempted at least 100 dribbles in the last three La Liga campaigns, Kovacic has the best success rate (80.4%).