Thibaut Courtois recently dropped a not-so-subtle hint about his future while on holiday in Tenerife, sporting a T-shirt that read “more money.” The 26-year-old Belgian goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Real Madrid throughout the summer, and reports suggest he has already agreed to terms with the Spanish club.
Just a day after rumors circulated that a deal was nearly finalized, Courtois was seen in the Canary Islands wearing the £20 Nike shirt, which many interpreted as a nod to the significant pay rise he could expect upon joining Real Madrid. The club is looking for a replacement for Keylor Navas, who has not fully convinced the club’s hierarchy, and they have previously pursued David De Gea without success.
Courtois has been unhappy with Chelsea’s £200,000-a-week contract offer, which has been on the table since December, and he has refused to sign it. With Courtois seemingly on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is actively seeking a new goalkeeper. The club has brought in veteran England international Rob Green as backup and is considering options like out-of-favor Barcelona keeper Jasper Cillessen.
Chelsea’s pursuit of former Roma goalkeeper Alisson fell short when Liverpool secured the Brazilian for a world-record fee of £66.8 million, intensifying the pressure on Chelsea to find a reliable top-stopper as they prepare for Courtois’s likely departure.