Chelsea are worried that their Belgian goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, may not sign a new deal at the club, according to the Evening Standard.
It’s thought that even if the London club were to offer him double his current wages, he may well not want to commit to staying in the capital.
His family situation also complicates matters as the 25-year-old has two young children who live in Madrid with their mother. Courtois is said to be finding it hard to not see them as often as he would like.
With only 18 months left on his contract and Courtois refusing to start negotiations until the summer, it’s looking increasingly unlikely the Chelsea mainstay will be hanging around at Stamford Bridge for much longer.
Real Madrid’s interest in the ‘keeper has been well documented over the past few years and it’s Los Blancos who could offer him the route back to Spain that he craves.
The Spanish giants’ pursuit of David de Gea over recent transfer windows would suggest they’re still on the lookout for a new player in that position and in Courtois they have someone who could comfortably fill that requirement.
Chelsea won’t be able to command a large fee for him, however, given the ever-reducing time remaining on his contract.
It’s thought Antonio Conte has instructed the club board to do all they can to try and get the two-time Premier League winner to sign on the dotted line until 2020.
