Huge Thibaut Courtois Fee Set Amid Real Madrid Rumours

Chelsea will reportedly demand as much as £65 million before they'll consider selling unsettled goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid. Los Blancos are apparently weighing up a summer bid for the Belgian stopper but could yet be put off by that hefty price tag.

The Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel has reported Madrid's interest in the goalkeeper, who once thrived as a loanee for city neighbours Atletico in Spain's top flight:

It remains to be seen whether the Spanish giants will make a formal offer for the Belgian – but the discussions represent a significant development in his increasingly unclear future.

The price is likely to prove a stumbling block, but there is a willingness from Chelsea to conclude a deal which could work in Real’s favour as they look to secure a cheaper price.
The Blues are open to offloading one of their elite players this summer and Courtois is among those the club will listen to offers for.

Chelsea's willingness to shop Courtois to big clubs stems from concerns held by incoming manager Antonio Conte about his attitude. Specifically, Mokbel has described how the Italian has received less-than-favourable reports about Courtois.

 

Conte has concerns about Courtois' temperament.

He also noted how the player himself, who fancies a move back to Madrid should he leave Stamford Bridge, is not enamoured with goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon: "Indeed, the Belgium international has expressed his concerns to members of staff at the club’s Cobham HQ, something that has got back to Conte."

Tensions have reportedly been growing frosty between Courtois and Lollichon for a while. Last month, American source One World Sports (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express) suggested Courtois injured his knee during one of Lollichon's "unconventional training sessions."

 

Courtois is reportedly at odds with coach Lollichon.

Current Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has sought to play down rumours of a rift between the man between the posts and his positional coach, per Dimitri Kondonis of GetWestLondon: "They are different personalities but they do well, they work hard. The most important thing is that Courtois said he is very happy at Chelsea and will stay at the club."
Yet, despite Hiddink's confidence, Courtois would surely find the lure of returning to the Spanish capital tough to refuse after his decorated spell with Atleti, where he won the league title in 2014.
Real don't necessarily need Courtois since Keylor Navas has thrived this season. But Los Merengues would likely see Courtois as a so-called galactico signing after failing to land Manchester United's David De Gea last summer.

Paul White/Associated Press

Navas would be unfortunate to find himself forced out by a new signing.

Losing Courtois would be a blow for the Blues but hardly a fatal one, especially if Madrid met the fee. The money from the sale would give Conte the means and the freedom to rebuild a squad needing an injection of youth in defence and more options up front.

It's not as if Chelsea don't already have a quality 'keeper to lean on in the form of Asmir Begovic. His experience and comfort in the Premier League would help any post-Courtois transition go smoothly.
Courtois helped Chelsea win the title last season, but he has always looked more comfortable in La Liga. For the price discussed, along with the increasing murmurs of discontent, cashing in on the gifted stopper seems best for both player and club.