Chelsea Transfer News: Thibaut Courtois 'Ready to Leave' in Real Madrid Rumours

Real Madrid have reportedly "made initial moves" to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the summer and the Belgium international is "open to a return to [La] Liga."

According to ONE World Sports' Duncan Castles, Courtois is unsettled at Chelsea and "ready to leave" the club following an injury-hit season in which he has had a "dispute" with Blues goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon.

The undisputed No. 1 at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea would surely be loath to let Courtois go, but Castles added that Real see the former Atletico Madrid loanee as an alternative target to Manchester United's David De Gea.

The Spanish giants' No. 1, Keylor Navas, has had an excellent season, but it seems Real are intent on bringing in a new goalkeeper.

Courtois, 23, is widely regarded as one of the top young goalkeepers in the world, although he has been far from consistent during Chelsea's shocking 2015-16 campaign—most recently being sent off against Manchester City. The shot-stopper hasn't impressed ESPN general editor Alex Shaw this term:

A move to Real would undoubtedly be tempting for Courtois, especially given they, unlike Chelsea, will be in the UEFA Champions League next season.

He has long been a reported target for Real, with Chelsea having quoted them a fee of £73 million last summer, per the Telegraph's Matt Law and Mark Ogden.

Courtois' contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2019, so the west London club would still be able to demand a significant sum from Real if they do make a move for the Belgium international.

Per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones, the Blues need to raise significant funds as incoming manager Antonio Conte has big plans for the summer transfer window:

If Los Blancos come in with a huge offer for Courtois, Chelsea could conceivably be open to selling him. They have reportedly been eyeing Southampton 'keeper Fraser Forster as a potential replacement, per the Mirror's John Cross.

After failing to defend their title so miserably this season, Chelsea's squad is expected to be subject to a major overhaul in the summer.

Courtois was not expected to be one of the casualties, but if he is indeed unsettled and Real are prepared to pay big money for him—and if Chelsea could bring in an adequate replacement—the Belgian may well be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.