Chelsea Transfer News: Thibaut Courtois Eyes Return to Spain, Latest Rumours

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is hoping to return to Spain one day, though it appears he plans to stay at Stamford Bridge for at least two more years. 

According to Marca (h/t Sport Witness), the Belgian, who spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid between 2011 and 2014, was asked if he is hopeful of moving back to Spain one day: 

"

Yes, but not only for the club [Atletico], but how Madrid is and the whole country. From the first minute I fell in love with Spain for its people, lifestyle, food…I still maintain eating dinner and then an afternoon nap, most of the television I see is Spanish…I am half Spanish.

"

He added: "When I left Spain it was clear that one day I would return there. I have a contract at Chelsea for three seasons. In 2018, when I enter the final year of the contract, we will assess whether to renew or leave."

Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images

Marca (h/t Sport Witness) also asked Courtois about possible interest from Real Madrid after Los Blancos sent their support to him upon suffering a knee injury last season:

"

What I do know is that Real Madrid made a very nice touch for me. When I hurt my knee I was sent a fax wishing me a speedy recovery.

I only see what appears in the press, but for my profile, I guess many clubs look at me. I could adapt to the game of any team.

"

The 24-year-old emerged as one of the world's best during his time with Atletico, but he has struggled to replicate that form in recent times with Chelsea.

WhoScored.com and OptaJoe revealed as much:

Indeed, during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Swansea City, football journalist Dan Levene noted that Courtois wasn't exactly providing a calming presence at the back:

For a goalkeeper of Courtois' quality, he hasn't been nearly reliable enough of late.

However, he has also shown flashes of his ability, as he did to deny Divock Origi with a stunning stop against Liverpool on Friday, per Bleacher Report UK's Garry Hayes:

To justify his continued place in the team, the Belgium international must show his talents on a more regular basis. 

When on form, he's among the top 'keepers in world football—if he can get back to that, he'd be a big loss for the Blues. Should his struggles continue, a move away would seemingly suit all parties.

In other news, Chelsea appear to have missed out on signing Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly any time soon, per Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol:

According to Radio CRC (h/t Raimondo de Magistris of Tuttomercatoweb), his agent, Bruno Satin, said the centre-back is now fully committed to the Partenopei: "Premier League? Kalidou doesn't think about it anymore. He really believes in this project: Napoli got a very good squad this year, bigger than last season, and the manager is doing turnover in each competition. He's only focused on the Azzurri now."

The Blues pursued him in the summer but failed to land his signature and ultimately settled for bringing David Luiz back to Stamford Bridge—a strange move that will likely do little to make them more solid at the back given his error-prone ways.

Koulibaly would have made an excellent recruit thanks to his physicality and mobility, but Napoli have got their wish.

It will be incredibly difficult to sign him now, and to do so would likely require an enormous investment far beyond the defender's worth.