Chelsea are reportedly set to make their first signing of the summer transfer window, with a deal supposedly agreed for Real Madrid star Mateo Kovacic.
If the report from Sky Sports and other reputed journalists are to be believed, it is fair to say that Frank Lampard will indeed be making at least one transfer acquisition in the summer transfer window, despite the standing ban. Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid.
The deal is supposedly set to cost Chelsea €45 million and will go through despite the ban as the agreement is an extended version of the loan deal the two clubs had in place for the Croatian international. However, Chelsea will have to finalise the deal before the end of the loan agreement – June 30.
Chelsea’s hopes of having a credible 2019-20 campaign will be boosted a fair bit by Kovacic’s arrival, with the current odds of achieving a top four finish in the coming season not looking good, as per the Soccer betting lines at 888 Sport New Jersey.
Mateo Kovacic arrived at Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid after being deemed surplus to requirements at Santiago Bernabeu following a recent philosophy change and a flurry of arrivals in his position. His maiden Premier League campaign, though, was far from satisfactory.
While he was, for most lengths of the season, a regular face in the starting eleven, the Croat failed to replicate his Real Madrid form at Stamford Bridge. The 2018-19 season may have ended on a positive note, with the Europa League win. But, for Kovacic, the season ended without ever opening his account for Chelsea, something he would love to correct this season.
Chelsea are in a whirlwind of trouble as far as the seasons ahead are concerned. Frank Lampard is close to being announced the new manager of Chelsea. But, the club legend will have to make do with the squad he has at hand, with Chelsea losing their talisman Eden Hazard to Real Madrid with no prospect of bringing in a replacement.
Lampard though, has proven himself to be adequate in working with the options at hand during his time at Derby County. Kovacic’s arrival could be beneficial in adding to the experience, with the incoming manager likely to be compelled to fall back on the academy graduates and the youth, at least for the period of the transfer ban.
