Mateo Kovacic “can imagine” staying on at Chelsea, but acknowledges that Real Madrid will have the final say on his future.
The Croatia international linked up with the Blues early in the 2018-19 campaign on a season-long loan.
He had been deemed surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabeu amid fierce competition for places.
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Those at Stamford Bridge have embraced his presence, with more combative and ball-playing qualities added to the Chelsea engine room under Maurizio Sarri.
A permanent switch is now being mooted and Kovacic is open to a move if all parties are in agreement, telling Sky Sports: "I think it [a loan switch] was the most important thing I did for now in my career.