- Chelsea will move for Jack Butland if Thibaut Courtois leaves for Real Madrid
- Courtois has failed to return to training as he attempts to force a move to Real
- The Premier League club are now eyeing Butland as his replacement
Premier League side Chelsea will reportedly push for Stoke City star goalkeeper Jack Butland if Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois strike a switch away from the West London to the Spanish capital this week.
According to a UK Sun report citing sources at The Telegraph, Chelsea Italian boss Maurizio Sarri has failed the battle to convince Courtois to remain at the Premier League club, after issuing a warning to the Belgian after Sunday’s Community Shield showdown to Manchester City.
Courtois was missing from Chelsea training session at Cobham on Monday, August 6, and it looks like the club chiefs will grant his wish to move to Real Madrid ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
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Therefore, Chelsea are keen to find a replacement in the market with just days remaining ahead of their Saturday’s Premier League opener at Huddersfield.
The report noted England’s backup goalie at the World Cup in Russia Butland is now top choice in Chelsea wish list with Everton’s Jordan Pickford regarded too expensive.
Chelsea are expected to cough out about £25million for Butland, following Stoke’s relegation to the Championship, £10m less than what they will receive for Courtois’ move to Los Blancos.
In addition, the report hinted that the Blues’ shortlist also include Sevilla’s goal Sergio Rico who has made 169 appearances for the La Liga side over the last four campaigns.
However, Butland looks the earlier option to secure as the Italian tactician battles to have his team ready ahead of a pre-season tie against Lyon on Wednesday.
The Ligue 1 outfit are heading to West London without ex-Liverpool summer target Nabil Fekir in their delegation.
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And reports coming out of France suggest Chelsea are holding last-minute discussions to seal a switch for the highly-talented forward.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously had reported that Thibaut Courtois has told Chelsea new manager Maurizio Sarri he wants to leave Stamford Bridge, Mirror quoting ESPN.
The Belgian shot-stopper reportedly met with Sarri after the Blue's Community Shield defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
And with the Italian open to selling players not committed, Courtois who has a year left on his contract, has made his intentions apparent, claim ESPN.
Football Transfers That Shocked The World | Naij.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
