Chelsea Transfer News: Thibaut Courtois Not Swapping Atletico for Real Madrid
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is still yet to decide his future despite strong reports he has agreed to join Real Madrid, according to his father.
Gary Jones of the Daily Star reports that the 21-year-old player, who has been on loan at Atletico Madrid since signing for the West London club from Genk in 2011, is yet to speak to his parent club regarding his future.
Jones says that recent reports in Spain had suggested Real Madrid were trying to sign Courtois on a free transfer in 2016 when his current contract expires, or they would attempt to sign him earlier if Chelsea would be a willing seller.
But Thierry Courtois was adamant in his assessment of his son's immediate future.
Jones quotes him saying to La Derniere Heure:
"It's an attempt to destabilise Atletico. There hasn't been any contact with Real. Our negotiations with Chelsea still have to start. And Chelsea would never let him go that way, when his contract has expired. Thibaut is now focused on the season with Atletico and the Champions League.
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Courtois has been a star for the Madrid club in their rise domestically and in Europe. The young goalkeeper has featured 26 times for his team in La Liga, keeping an impressive 13 clean sheets, per Squawka.
Deputy sports editor at The Mirror, Ed Malyon, was frank in his own opinion of Courtois possibly leaving Chelsea. He tweeted:
Courtois is one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and Real Madrid's interest in him would be no surprise.
As the era of dominance of Iker Casillas comes to an end, the club will be searching for a player who can fill his boots and gloves.
However, it is questionable that Jose Mourinho would contemplate losing a player of this stature to his former club under any circumstances.
The goalkeeper's time at Atletico has been fruitful, and he has achieved exactly what Chelsea would have wanted him to. He has played games and gained vital experience, preparing him for life in one of the top leagues in the world.
Petr Cech is only just the wrong side of 30 years old and could continue for many years but, with the potential of Courtois, might see his time in the Blues' goal come to a premature end.
Courtois can be Mourinho's defensive rock to build his Chelsea team around as he once did with Cech in his first run as the manager at Stamford Bridge.
The alternative for the Special One is that he allows a top prospect to leave, strengthening a European rival in the process.
