Sarri hints at Courtois exit as Chelsea goalkeeper nears move to Real Madrid

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri appears to be open to allowing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to secure his preferred move to Real Madrid this summer, providing the Belgian tells him of his wish to leave face-to-face.

Courtois’ agent has pleaded with Chelsea to allow the goalkeeper to return to Madrid this summer, where his children live with his ex-partner.

The 26-year-old – who has one year remaining on his current Chelsea deal – had a successful stint on loan at Atletico Madrid earlier in his career but is now desperate to complete a move to arch-rivals Real Madrid before the end of the transfer window.

Courtois is reported to have stayed away from training on Monday, when Sarri was hoping to talk to him about his future. He was also nowhere to be seen when Chelsea took on Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.

It has been reported that Chelsea will not let go of Courtois until they have signed a suitable replacement, but with rumoured target Alisson completing a move to Liverpool, there seems to have been no progress on any new addition.

Asked about Courtois’ agent’s comments following Chelsea’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City, Sarri said:

“I have no reaction on the agent. I’m not interested in the agent.

“I want to hear Courtois. If Courtois says the same, I have to speak with my club of course because I only want players with a very high level of motivation.”

Courtois’ wish to leave

It is the second part of Sarri’s comments that will give Courtois some encouragement. An offer from Real Madrid is said to be on the table and is yet to have been accepted or rejected.

Sky sources: Chelsea make Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland top target if Thibaut Courtois leaves the club. #SSN pic.twitter.com/IX6Oqs15r8

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 6, 2018

Sarri’s hint that he is not prepared to keep players against their will would, however, suggests that Courtois is likely to get his move.

If a deal does go through in the coming days, Chelsea will have to act quickly to replace him, with Thursday evening’s transfer deadline fast approaching. Reports on Monday evening suggested that Jack Butland was Chelsea’s first-choice target.

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