Mateo Kovačić will take a one-year loan at Stamford Bridge as part of a trade with Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
One piece of the summer transfer puzzle is finally solved, as Chelsea FC has confirmed the sale of Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid, while Mateo Kovačić will go to the Premier League club as part of the deal, reports Goal.hr on August 8, 2018.
The Croatian footballer will sign a one-year loan at Stamford Bridge, while the Belgian goalkeeper will sign a contract with Real Madrid for six years, up until the 2023/24 season.
"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. Subject to the completion of the deal Mateo Kovacic will join the Blues on a season-long loan," said the club's website.
It has been said that on top of Kovačić’s release on loan, Real Madrid will pay Chelsea €35 million for Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper will take his medical tomorrow, followed by a presentation in the new jersey.
As far as it is known, Chelsea does not have a loan agreement on the option of buying a contract, either compulsory or optional.
This will be Kovačić’s third club after departing from Dinamo Zagreb. After playing for Inter Milan and Real Madrid, Kovačić's stint at Chelsea will make him the fifth Croatian footballer in history to wear the jersey of the London club. Mario Stanić was the first, followed by goalkeeper Matej Delač, striker Stipe Perica, and offensive midfielder Marijo Pašalić, though they have all been sent out on loan from The Blues.
