Premier League transfer news: Mino Raiola pushing Pogba towards Manchester United exit, Arsenal manager open to signing world-class Frenchman and more: April 8, 2019

Sarri wants Kovacic to stay

Sarri wants Kovacic permanently Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri wants to sign Mateo Kovacic on a permanent deal from Real Madrid. https://t.co/qBVgc0xC4K

— CFC News Sky Sports (@CFCnewsSKY) April 7, 2019

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri wants Mateo Kovacic to stay at the club. The Croat is on loan from Real Madrid and Sarri claimed that he wants to buy him outright as Chelsea only have Jorginho in the tempo-setter role in midfield.

He also added that Kovacic has the potential to be a great central midfielder and could also feature in defensive midfield – despite it not being his natural role – because he likes technical players there.

"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.

"In my opinion, Kovacic could become a very good central midfielder. Of course, he is not a defensive midfielder (at the moment) but, as you know, in that position I prefer a very technical player.”