According to the Italian media outlet Sky Sports, via Calciomercato, Chelsea have been told they must pay €100m (£90m) if they want to sign Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic this summer, and their Premier League rivals West Ham United should be watching developments closely.

What's the word, then?

Mateo Kovacic in action against Denmark

Well, Sky Sports, via Calciomercato, report that Blues owner Roman Abramovich is already preparing for incoming manager Maurizio Sarri’s arrival at Stamford Bridge by making moves in the transfer market, and they have enquired about the Croatia international.

Sky Sports report that Real president responded to the enquiry by saying he wanted £90m for the 23-year-old, which likely won't have been met with a positive reaction by Abramovich.

Should they complete a deal for the Croatian, who is currently with his country at the 2018 World Cup, however, he would be competing with the likes of N'Golo Kante, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Danny Drinkwater and Cesc Fabregas for a spot in the middle of the park for the west London club.

Why should West Ham be monitoring the situation?

Well, it has already been suggested that Loftus-Cheek could leave Chelsea on loan this summer, but the arrival of yet another central midfield player in the form of Kovacic – just a year older than the England international – would perhaps convince him to seek a permanent move away from the Bridge.

The skilful 22-year-old showed when playing regularly for Crystal Palace last term – and for his country in Russia – the qualities that he has and would bring to the Irons, and the 6ft 3in man would certainly prove to be a brilliant addition for the Irons in the long run if they are willing to bid big to bring him to the London Stadium as their marquee summer addition.

He would certainly help Hammers fans, some of whom have commented on interest in a player with 39 goals and assists in 2017/18, forget about Manuel Lanzini, who could well miss the entire 2018/19 campaign through injury.

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