Chelsea have reportedly rejected a £35 million bid from Real Madrid for Thibaut Courtois, who looks set to depart from Stamford Bridge.

According to a report by Daily Mirror, Real Madrid have reignited their interest in Thibaut Courtois, and have submitted a bid to secure his services in the summer transfer window. But, Chelsea have rejected Los Blancos’ initial £35 million offer for their star goalkeeper.

Courtois is just one of the many goalkeepers that Real Madrid have had their eyes on ahead of a busy summer of squad restructuring. David de Gea was believed to have become their priority once again upon Julen Lopetegui’s appointment, but the Spaniard’s pursuit has now complicated as he looks set to sign a new five-year deal at Manchester United.

Apart from Courtois, Alisson is another player who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, with the likes of Jan Oblak and Gianluigi Donnarumma the backup targets. But, snapping the Belgian shot stopper up from Chelsea is a more economical operation, with just over a year remaining on his current deal with the Blues.

Thus, Courtois should ideally be available on the cheap this summer, with his contract negotiations with Chelsea reaching a head. As a result, the West Londoners are ready to offload the 26-year-old to avoid the risk of losing him on a free transfer next summer.

Inching closer to the Chelsea exit door. (Photo courtesy - Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Inching closer to the Chelsea exit door. (Photo courtesy – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Courtois has been one of the standouts at Chelsea during an inconsistent four-year period that has seen them win the Premier League title twice and finish outside the top four as many times. The Belgian international was in his elements for the most part this past season as well, narrowly missing out on the chance to win the Golden Glove.

But, he has made no bones about the fact that his “heart is in the Spanish capital”, suggesting that a move to either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid was only a matter of when rather than if. As it now happens, he looks set to leave Chelsea this summer itself, although the Blues will only sell for the right amount.

However, this aforementioned amount is certainly not £35 million with Chelsea rejecting Real Madrid’s bid for Courtois. An exact figure hasn’t been quoted in the report though, and it remains to be seen how much Chelsea are looking to recoup for their star player.

What is certain is that Real Madrid are back in the market for Courtois, with Keylor Navas likely to be relegated to being the second-choice after two seasons of inconsistent performances. However, should they not return with a second bid, they are keeping their options open with Alisson and Oblak.

Chelsea, on the other hand, would be remiss to not be greedy in recouping as high a fee for Courtois as possible as he could leave for free next summer, with a contract renewal unlikely to be an option.

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