Chelsea are the latest to pursue Mateo Kovacic after the Real Madrid midfielder turned down Manchester United, Italian outlet CalcioMercato claim.

After losing out on Gonzalo Higuain to AC Milan, Maurizio Sarri has given up on signing a striker and is instead hoping to bring in another attack-minded midfielder.

Kovacic is looking for a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in an effort to secure more playing time. The 24-year-old Croatian would give Sarri’s midfield options a big boost.

Chelsea have so far only been able to recruit Jorginho and Rob Green in the summer transfer window.