Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is prepared to sign for a Premier League rival if he is prevented from joining the Blues permanently.

Kovacic is on-loan at Chelsea from Real Madrid this season, which are prepared to sell for £42m.

Marca says Chelsea are still trying to fight their transfer ban which would block them from signing players in the next two windows.

And Kovacic will look to remain in the Premier League if the Blues are unable to nab him at the end of the season.

They claim that it is his "priority" to sign for Chelsea, but he is open to joining one of their rivals in the top-flight.