Courtois set for Real

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is closing in on a move to Real Madrid in a deal worth around 35 million euros (US$41 million), Spanish media reported yesterday.

“Courtois, decision imminent”, Madrid sports daily Marca ran as its headline, claiming that the record 13-time European champion is “confident of his signing”.

“The Courtois soap opera is coming to its end. The target, who yesterday did not attend Chelsea training despite being at the end of his holidays, speeds up the process to sign for Real Madrid, an announcement that could become official in the coming hours,” Marca wrote.

Real will pay 35 million euros to bring the Belgium international, 26, voted the best goalkeeper at the World Cup, to the Bernabeu.

AS said: “Chelsea gives Courtois up for lost and wants (Athletic Bilbao’s) Kepa Arrizabalaga as replacement”.