Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic will join Chelsea on a season-long loan deal as part of the deal that will see goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois move to Real in a permanent deal.
Kovacic,
who was part of the Croatia squad that made a surprise run to the World
Cup final in Russia this summer, arrives at Stamford Bridge hoping for
more regular first-team opportunities after three years spent on the
fringes of Madrid's starting XI.
His arrival could pave the way
for Tiemoue Bakayoko to leave Chelsea, with reports in Italy claiming
that AC Milan are interested in taking him on a season-long loan with an
option to buy next summer.
Kovacic joined Madrid from Inter for
£27 million in the summer of 2015 and was part of the team that claimed
three Champions League titles in four seasons, as well as winning La
Liga in 2017, but he could not hold down a starting spot amid
competition from Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Isco.
In another news, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who had been
unsettled at Stamford Bridge will now return to the Spanish capital as Chelsea confirmed his departure to Real Madrid.
Courtois has been in Chelsea since 2011, and wrested the
No. 1 jersey from club favourite Petr Cech after shining during a loan
spell with Atletico Madrid as a youngster.
He will now move to the Champions League holders after a fee of €35m (£31m/$40m) was agreed.
Chelsea and Real Madrid have tonight agreed terms for the permanent
transfer of Thibaut Courtois subject to the agreement of personal terms
and passing a medical, Chelsea said in a statement published on
the club's official website.
Subject to the completion of the deal Mateo Kovacic will join the Blues on a season-long loan.
Real
Madrid also confirmed the deal, revealing that the Belgium goalkeeper
will put pen to paper on a contract that takes him up to the end of the
2023-24 season.
Real Madrid and Chelsea have agreed the transfer of Thibaut
Courtois, who will be linked to the club for the next six seasons,
Madrid stated on their official website.
After
the medical that will be carried out on August 9, the player will be
presented at 1pm (12pm BST, 7am ET) in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Later Courtois will step out for the first time on the Santiago
Bernabeu turf with the Real Madrid shirt and speak to reporters in the
press room.
Courtois played a total of 154 appearances for Chelsea, winning the Premier League on two occasions.
He also boasts ample experience in Spain, having made an identical
number of appearances for Atletico which included a starring role in the
Colchoneros' 2013-14 Liga triumph.
Courtois may not have to wait long to face his old club, with Real
Madrid set to face Atletico in the UEFA Super Cup on August 15.
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