Maurizio Sarri has spoken of his desire to keep midfielder Mateo Kovacic at Chelsea with his current loan deal ending in the summer.
The midfielder signed on loan from Real Madrid last year and has been influential in the Chelsea midfield this season, and Sarri, speaking ahead of Monday night's clash with West Ham , confirmed he was looking to sign the Croatian permanently.
Talking at the Cobham training complex, Sarri said: "Yes, Kovacic is only on loan, of course. 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 but, as you know, in that position I prefer a very technical player.
"For us, it's very important for us to have big quality in that position. Big quality not for the last pass, but big quality in terms of moving the ball."
Kovacic became Sarri's third signing signed last summer, with Thibaut Courtois moving in the other direction as part of the deal.
However, Chelsea's hopes of securing the midfielder could be restricted due to the current transfer ban looming over them. Chelsea's initial appeal was recently rejected by The FIFA Appeals committee, and it is yet unclear how their summer activities will pan out.
Kovacic has appeared 28 times in the Premier League this season, setting up two goals, and admitted he was hopeful of staying in London.
Chelsea face West Ham as they continue their fight for the top four.
Recent wins over Brighton and Cardiff have left them level on points with Arsenal , who currently occupy fourth place, and they know a win this evening would propel them to third in the table.
