THIBAUT COURTOIS’ representatives have told Real Madrid he is desperate to leave Chelsea for a move to the Bernabeu, according to Guillem Balague.
Thibaut Courtois has been linked with a move away from Chelsea for months amid reports he wants to head back to Madrid.
The 25-year-old spent three seasons on loan with Atletico Madrid and it has been claimed he wants to return to the Spanish capital to be closer to his young family.
Real Madrid seems the most likely destination for the Belgium international with club president Florentino Perez keen to replace Keylor Navas.
And Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has claimed a move is very much on the cards and Courtois’ representatives have already begun laying the ground work.
“Real Madrid have been told in no uncertain terms by Thibaut Courtois’ camp that he wants to sign for Zinedine Zidane’s side,” Balague told Spanish newspaper AS Diario.
“The return message is one of interest from the La Liga outfit.”
Courtois’ agents have also been attempting to negotiate an improved deal with Chelsea with his current £100,000-a-week contract set to expire in 18 months.
But progress on that front has been slow and Balague has claimed the Blues are aware the pull of being with his family in Madrid could be too great.
“Chelsea are aware that talks over a new contract are complicated by the fact that Courtois’ ex-girlfriend is now living in Madrid with their two children,” he added.
“And the former Atletico custodian has long harboured a desire to return to a city that he considers to be home.”
Speaking about a return to the Spanish capital earlier this month, Courtois admitted he was struggling with life away from his kids.
“It is not always easy,” he said.
“I love my children to death. When you miss them, you are sometimes wondering, ‘Shouldn’t I play in Spain in the next few years?’
“That’s why I want to take my time to make a decision on that contract extension.
“In the media they’re always talking about money. I’m not denying that it plays a role, but everything has to be in its right place.”
Source:www.express.co.uk