Courtois reportedly wants Madrid move

Courtois reportedly wants Madrid move

Chelsea may have been dealt a huge blow as the latest round of transfer rumours suggest that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois wants to leave Stamford Bridge in order to move to Real Madrid.

It is believed that Madrid have told Courtois’ camp that they want to sign him, and Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague says Madrid are confident that the Belgian wants to make the move.

It would serve as a massive blow to Chelsea if they lose arguably one of the best ‘keepers in the world, and Balague admits the Blues have already lined up replacements.

“The Spanish club have heard that Courtois, whose two children live in Madrid, is willing to make a move to the Bernabeu and Real have decided to change their two goalkeepers before next season,” Balague wrote on his column for Sky Sports.

“Chelsea have prepared a Plan A and Plan B for the 25-year-old, and Plan B sees the Premier League champions ready to hand Courtois a new contract that would make him the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world.

“His current deal, around £100,000-a-week, expires in 18 months’ time, and in May the Belgian rejected an opening offer that did not meet his double-my-money demands.

“In recent weeks, his representatives have sat down with the Premier League club in an attempt to move closer to an agreement, but significant progress is yet to be made.

“Chelsea are aware that talks over a new contract are complicated by the fact that Courtois’ ex-girlfriend is now living in Madrid with their two children, and that the former Atletico goalkeeper has long harboured a desire to return to a city that he considers to be home.

“As a replacement, Antonio Conte is an admirer of Sevilla’s Sergio Rico and Atletico’s Jan Oblak, among others names on the wish list.”