Chelsea Transfer News: Thibaut Courtois Expects Stay Amid Latest Blues Rumours

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois expects to still be at Chelsea next season unless "something strange" happens despite numerous recent rumours linking him with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Per Spanish outlet Onda Cero (via Vaishali Bhardwaj in the Evening Standard), the Belgian stopper reiterated he has three years left on his Blues contract and thus does not foresee a scenario in which he would leave the club any time soon: "I have three more years on my contract with Chelsea. If nothing strange happens, I will still be at Chelsea next year."

The 24-year-old Courtois "attracted interest" from Real Madrid during a tough 2015-16 campaign, but Chelsea looked to ward Los Blancos off with a £73 million price tag, per Bhardwaj.

The Santiago Bernabeu giants are reportedly still interested in persuading Courtois to leave the Blues if they fail to sign Manchester United's David De Gea this summer, per Sky Sport's Guillem Balague.

However, it seems Courtois is preparing to stay in west London, at least for now.

And he has some work to do at Stamford Bridge, after he followed a stellar debut season in 2014-15, in which Chelsea won the title, with an oddly fractured campaign in 2015-16.

He struggled early on with injury, not playing at all between the end of August and early December, and his form after returning to the side had some questioning whether Asmir Begovic should be promoted to No. 1, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella:

There were also reports of Courtois falling out with Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon, per Phil Cadden in the Sun, which increased speculation he would be open to a return to Spain, having previously spent three years on loan at Atletico Madrid.

However, he and the rest of the Chelsea squad have a fresh start next season, with Antonio Conte taking over as manager. The clean slate could benefit Courtois.

Per Bhardwaj, Italian Conte has already spoken with Courtois and is "keen" for him to stay at the club, an indication the latest speculation about the Belgium international will all come to nothing and that he will line up for Chelsea next term.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Meanwhile, reports have emerged suggesting former Blues boss Jose Mourinho wants to lure Chelsea star Willian to Manchester United if he takes over at Old Trafford.

Per Shaun Custis in the Sun, the Portuguese "knows" he would have to pay at least £60 million to tempt the Blues into parting with the Brazilian, but there seems little chance such a deal could go through, no matter the money.

Willian was unquestionably Chelsea's star player during a torrid 2015-16 season, and it seems hugely unlikely the west London club would weaken their own squad while simultaneously boosting United's.