Chelsea Transfer News: Thibaut Courtois' 'Heart Is in Madrid' Amid Real Rumours

A return to Spain's capital seems all but inevitable for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after the former Atletico Madrid loanee admitted his "heart is in Madrid," with La Liga giants Real Madrid rumoured to be targeting his signature.

Los Blancos have long been linked with Courtois, and the Blues No. 1 gave Real hope of completing a future move for his talents in an interview with Belgian magazine Sport/Foot (h/t James Benge of the Evening Standard):

“My personal situation is related to the city of Madrid. My two children live there with their mum. I have my daughter every day on FaceTime. She often tells me that she misses me. My son is still too small to communicate like that.

"Whenever I have the opportunity, I try to return to Spain. As a situation, it is not always easy. Yes, my heart is in Madrid. It is logical and understandable.

“If they want me, they have to contact Chelsea. We'll see. But they have not done that. What is certain is that one day I will return to Madrid. I love Spain, I love the city, I spent three wonderful years there [with Atletico Madrid]. It is there that I became an adult."

The comments make it difficult to imagine Courtois has any serious intentions of penning a new deal at Stamford Bridge, and Benge added Chelsea now "fear that his family situation will convince him to move back to Spain."

Courtois spent three seasons on loan with Atletico between 2011 and 2014, and Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague relayed Real's goalkeeping situation, with No. 1 Keylor Navas' place in doubt:

Courtois did go on to say "the signs are positive" he will renew his contract with Chelsea, and the west Londoners are understood to have offered their shot-stopper £200,000 per week to prolong his stay.

However, Antonio Conte's position as manager at the Chelsea helm is in some doubt, and football writer Kristan Heneage remarked on the effect that could have among his squad:

The 25-year-old was a consistent hit throughout his stay with Los Rojiblancos, and the fact Madrid is where Courtois started his family—the mother of his two children, Marta Dominguez, is Spanish—could have a big impact on his future.

What's more, Real's search for a new goalkeeper took a turn during the January transfer window when their move for Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga collapsed, as the Evening Standard's Simon Johnson noted:

Courtois' contract is due to expire at the end of next season, and in the event he refuses to sign a new deal, it means this summer could be Chelsea's last opportunity to net a substantial fee for his signature.

Los Blancos aren't the only major European power interested in the player, though, and Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws recently reported on Paris Saint-Germain entering the race:

Aside from family reasons, there's also a strong chance Courtois would see himself contending for major silverware on a more frequent basis in Madrid, with Chelsea fourth in the Premier League and out of both domestic cups.

On the one hand, it's difficult not to admire the stopper's honesty in regards to his Madrid connection, although Chelsea aren't likely to feel much ease about his desire to return to the city.