Chelsea Transfer News: Thibaut Courtois Responds to Exit Talk, Latest Rumours

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has settled the nerves of those fans who thought he might leave the club this summer and insisted he wants to establish himself as "one of the best 'keepers in the world."

The Belgium No. 1 spoke to Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard and said comments linking him with a departure from Stamford Bridge over the summer were "misconstrued."

Courtois said:

"

I am very happy at Chelsea and want to stay. I will try to show in every game that I am one of the best 'keepers in the world. I know that I didn’t have the best of seasons but there are things that I have said in Belgium which have been misconstrued in England. It unfortunately has given the supporters the wrong impression.

It has put me and Chelsea in a bad light, that’s not good. I have never said I wanted to leave or anything. When it looks like I’m being put against the supporters, it’s not nice. 

Am I upset the fans have the wrong impression of me? Yes, of course. I don’t want them to think bad of me. 

"

Courtois was one of the Blues' senior stars who failed to capture his best during last season's run to 10th in the Premier League, leading to speculation of an exit over the summer.

Chelsea open their 2016-17 Premier League with the visit of West Ham United on Monday evening, and Courtois will be hoping to prove to new head coach Antonio Conte why he belongs between the posts for the Blues.

Michel Spingler/Associated Press

The 24-year-old went on to admit "people may have had doubts" about his form following last season, but he added his performances at UEFA Euro 2016 were more indicative of his quality and reclaiming the Premier League this season is a priority.

Courtois moved to west London from Belgian outfit Genk in 2011 before being sent to Atletico Madrid in a temporary switch, and ESPN FC's Jake Cohen noted for all the club's perpetually loaned-out starlets, the stopper is an example of the system working:

The Sun's Neil Ashton reported in May that Courtois was on the radar of European champions Real Madrid, but Conte will be aware he has a major asset on his hands provided the goalkeeper is in form.

The stopper's comments about getting back to his best at Euro 2016 appeared to ring true as well, despite Belgium's shock quarter-final exit at the hands of Wales, per Match of the Day:

Many Blues fans will be overjoyed to hear their No. 1 give such a conclusive signal of his intentions to remain at the club, particularly after such a difficult 2015-16 campaign.

New boss Conte will also appreciate the sign of commitment, which bodes well for the Blues ahead of Monday's Premier League opener against the Hammers.

Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly lost out to AC Milan in the hunt to sign Sporting Lisbon playmaker Joao Mario, according to Sky Sport Italia (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express).

It's said Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho flew into Milan over the weekend to complete the £39 million deal, meaning Conte will have to find a new way of spending his reported £140 million transfer war chest.