Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is reportedly ready to snub an opportunity to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge in order to complete a switch to Real Madrid.
The Belgium international’s current deal at the west London club will expire in 2019. He is not open to the idea of signing a new deal, according to claims from Spain, meaning the player could leave the Blues as a free agent at the of next season.
According to Onda Cero, Chelsea stopper has informed his employers that he is ready to continue at the club beyond the summer transfer window and then leave for Real Madrid on a free. He has set his sights on playing for the European champions after the end of the 2018/19 season.
Courtois spent three years – from 2011 to 2014 – on loan at Atletico Madrid. The 25-year-old has family in Madrid and wants to be reunited.
Real Madrid currently has the services of Keylor Navas and Kiko Casilla as the two goalkeepers in the squad. The Costa Rican international has been the first choice stopper for Zinedine Zidane’s side, while the 31-year-old Spaniard has been Navas’ deputy.
The same report claims Casilla is set to leave the Santiago Bernabeu after the end of the season due to the lack of first team opportunities. Navas, who was Real’s standout player against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final, is expected to retain his place in the squad.
With Courtois willing to continue at Chelsea next season and Casilla looking for an exit in the summer, the 12-time European champions will be looking to bring in a new goalkeeper in the upcoming transfer window.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is also one of candidates for Real. However, it will be difficult to bring the Spain international back to Madrid after the Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho insisted the 27-year-old will not be allowed to leave Old Trafford.
It should be seen which goalkeeper Real Madrid will land in the summer. Should it be a big name signing, it could possibly end Courtois’ chances of joining them in 2019.
