Thibaut Courtois Emerges As Number 1 Target For Real Madrid

Real Madrid are confident of signing Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and giving up their pursuit of Manchester United’s David De Gea.

Reports on Spanish website El Gol Digital say the unsettled French stopper is the focus for club president Florentino Perez who is confident of getting his man. Courtois has a year left on his contract and Chelsea may feel forced to sell if the keeper refuses to agree an extension.

Coincidentally, Real’s Champions League Final opponents Liverpool could have a say in how the deal works out.

Thibaut has been holding out on signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea keeper wants to play Champions League football next season and the London club’s chances of qualifying hinge on Liverpool’s result in their final Premier League game on Sunday.

Chelsea are two points behind the Merseyside club with an inferior goal difference which means Liverpool only require a point from their home game against Brighton to secure fourth place.

It has been widely reported that Real Madrid are planning an overhaul of the squad following a disappointing performance in La Liga. Los Blancos are linked with moves for Brazilian international Neymar, Liverpool striker Mo Salah, Chelsea forward Eden Hazard and a host of other players as every position comes under review.

Current goalkeepers Keylar Navas and Kiko Casilla have been inconsistent during their time at the Bernabeu and it has long been rumoured, their position is under threat.

Real missed out on signing their preferred goalkeeping choice David De Gea in 2015 due to an administrative error and despite renewed interest, the Spanish keeper looks set to stay at old Trafford for the immediate future.

Real Madrid’s interest in Courtois was leaked by La Liga insider Guillem Balague as long ago as December and he explained the move to the Spanish capital would be a good fit for the ambitious French international.

“Real Madrid have told Thibaut Courtois’ camp that they want to sign the Chelsea goalkeeper,” said Balague.

“The Spanish club have also heard that Courtois, whose two children live in Madrid, is willing to make a move to the Bernabeu and Real have decided to change their two goalkeepers before next season.

“Chelsea have prepared a Plan A and Plan B for the 25-year-old, and Plan B sees the Premier League champions ready to hand Courtois a new contract that would make him the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world.

“His current deal, around £100,000-a-week, expires in 18 months’ time, and in May the Belgian rejected an opening offer that did not meet his double-my-money demands.”