The transfer of Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea to Real Madrid is still on hold, as the Blues are in search of Courtois’ replacement.
According to various sources, Courtois to Real Madrid is almost done.
With Liverpool and Roma reaching an agreement on the £67 million ($87m) transfer of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Chelsea now has to look elsewhere to find a replacement number one.
Alisson’s transfer has had a knock-on effect on both Chelsea and Real Madrid’s summer transfer plans. Both sides were also looking to buy the Brazilian keeper. As a result, Real will once again turn to Courtois, with a transfer looking inevitable.
The Belgian had rejected Chelsea’s advances of a contract renewal. And, with just one year left on his current deal at Stamford Bridge, will be sold this summer rather than going for free next year.
New Real boss, Julen Lopetegui already has Keylor Navas at the club. But both fans and the board believe the position could get strengthened even more.
Los Blancos were keen on Athletic Bilbao stopper, Kepa Arrizabalaga in January. But the transfer fell apart at the 11th hour with Zinedine Zidane not convinced.
With Zidane now gone and goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis at Real Sociedad, the connection with Navas is not as strong as it once was. Real are still determined to continue with ‘operation Courtois’. But they are willing to wait for Chelsea to find a replacement for the World Cup semi-finalist.
The deal could reach £35m ($45m) for the World Cup Golden Glove winner. All parties eager to resolve and the transfer expected sooner rather than later.
Before that, new coach Mauricio Sarri must add another goalkeeper to his squad for the 2018-19 Premier League season. Until then, a time-out has been granted.