Chelsea prepare to make bold transfer call ahead of next week’s deadline

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has just one week to finalise his squad ahead of the 2018-19 Premier League campaign and is reportedly ready to make a huge call in the market.

The Daily Mail states the Blues will allow Thibaut Courtois to run down the final year of his contract if they fail to land a replacement for the Belgium international, who is a top target for serial Champions League winners Real Madrid.

Fresh from winning the golden glove at the World Cup in Russia, Courtois is keen on a move to the Spanish capital in order to be alongside his young family – who still live in Madrid following the keeper’s time with Atletico.

However, Chelsea will not negotiate a deal if they are unable to sign a replacement in the market and, with one week to go, significant work needs to be done to draft in a new stopper before the Blues’ opening game against Huddersfield.

While Real Madrid have until the end of August to secure a deal for Courtois, Chelsea have less than seven days to land a replacement.