Courtois does not want to return to Chelsea at the end of the season…
Chelsea’s keeper Thibaut Courtois, who is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid for the third consecutive season, is desperate to join Barcelona, claims Spanish publication Sport.
The impressive young Belgian has shone for Atletico for the past two seasons, establishing himself as one of the best keepers in La Liga, and arguably in the whole of Europe.
Chelsea though, have the ever-reliable Petr Cech in goal, who has rarely let them down since he arrived at the club during Jose Mourinho’s first spell in charge back in 2004. Courtois has never made an appearance for the Blues, and he is now ready to cut his losses and join a rival European giant.
Courtois is desperate to leave next summer and join a Spanish club, as he is settled down and learned the language.
Barcelona’s first-choice stopper Victor Valdes is expected to join French side Monaco when his contract expires at the end of the season, and Courtois has overtaken Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina as the Catalan giant’s top target to replace the outgoing Spanish veteran.
Although the young Belgian keeper is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2016, Chelsea would likely let him leave with, as Cech has more than just a few years left in him at the very top. The Blues would demand a substantial fee, which Barcelona would no doubt be more than prepared to pay for who many believe will eventually become the world’s best stopper.
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