Spanish news outlet, Marca understands that Real Madrid are inching closer towards a £31.1m (€35m) transfer of Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea. A bargain in the current market where young players are going at exponential rates and also since the Blues keeper is already in the prime of his career.
Courtois did his country proud by winning the Golden Glove award in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and by helping Belgium to the third-place medal. We got to witness goalkeeping mastery from a lot of names such as Jordan Pickford, Guillermo Ochoa, Kasper Schmeichel and Danijel Subasic but it was the 26-year-old who won the honour due to his ability to deliver consistently.
Madrid have been looking for a skilled persona such as Courtois ever since the departure of Iker Casillas from the Bernabeu. Many names have shifted around the goalkeeping position but could not match the level of flair and reliability such as the Galactico academy product.
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, Courtois is a resolute presence in between the sticks. Paired with his reactionary ability and intelligence, the Belgian is considered as one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment. His contract is due to end next summer and Chelsea will have to wrap up a transfer agreement within the next three weeks. Otherwise, they might lose the 26-year-old for nothing as he agrees to pre-contractual terms in the January window.
This could be the setting tale of the perfect career opportunity Courtois has been looking for. His international and club teammate, Eden Hazard has also spoken of his uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
With Real Madrid eyeing a move for both, the highly talented duo can team up again in the Spanish capital and aim for bigger honours than just Europa League football next term. Courtois has already spent three seasons with Atletico Madrid racking up 154 appearances and 76 clean sheets.
He has registered 154 games with Chelsea as well, winning the Premier League twice with them and the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup once. Not only did he overtake Petr Cech’s position in the starting lineup, he has also been able to stand out from the rest of the herd with his prolific shot-stopping abilities.
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Madrid did register their third consecutive UEFA Champions League trophy last term but are under a new regime. Julen Lopetegui will need to make additions of his own to take the club to new heights and a defensive solidity is more than necessary as much as finding a Cristiano Ronaldo replacement (not that there will ever be any)!
