Real Madrid are reluctant to sell Mateo Kovacic, it has emerged.

On a straight loan with Chelsea this season, manager Maurizio Sarri has declared he wants to see the Croatian signed permanently this summer.

However, Cadena SER says it's now emerged Real have told rival suitors that there's no plans to sell Kovacic.

The news arrived after Atletico Madrid sounded out Real about a price for the midfielder last week.

However, the response from Real was that Kovacic is not for sale - and particularly not to their city rivals.