Chelsea given huge boost in battle to keep star name at the club
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Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could be set to stay at Stamford Bridge, according to the Mirror, as Real Madrid have agreed a £22m fee for Athletic Bilbao’s young stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Belgian international was reportedly a target for the Spanish giants, but it seems that they have already decided to bring in another goalkeeper to replace their current number one Keylor Navas.
Kepa’s contract expires in the summer and the player has a €20m release clause which would have allowed any team to sign him in January but Real are reportedly prepared to pay above that figure to secure the services of the Spanish international.
Courtois’s own contract negotiations are still up in the air. The 25 year old says he is considering all options but wants his future sorted before the end of the season. A move back to Spain has been talked about as his children live with his former partner in the country.
If Real are ruled out of the running, it will leave only his former Atletico as a potential destination. With Jan Oblak also one of the best keepers in the world, the Slovenian would likely have to leave if Courtois was to to move back to Madrid. It means a new contract with Chelsea looks the likeliest outcome at the moment.