Ben Guest
Chelsea are looking at potential replacement’s for Thibaut Courtois, with the goalkeeper now expected to leave the club this summer.
It is thought that the Blues have abandoned their hopes of keeping Courtois at the club, after failing to agree a new deal. They have been trying to tie him down to a new deal with no success for some time, and now, with just one year remaining on his contract, they are prepared to cash in on the Belgian.
He has been linked with potential moves to Real Madrid and Liverpool, with both of this year’s Champions League finalists seeming to be looking for a new number one, especially following Loris Karius’ ‘antics’ during that game in Kiev last week.
With Courtois expected to be heading towards the Stamford Bridge exit door, the FA Cup winners are looking at potential replacements for the 6ft 6″ ‘keeper.
One option is Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is also another one of Liverpool’s transfer targets. The Brazilian is valued at around £60million, which would be by far a world record fee for a goalkeeper, smashing what Man City paid for a Ederson just 12 months ago.
Another option, and a cheaper one at that, is Stoke City’s Jack Butland. A move for the England stopper would be an easier deal for Chelsea to complete, with Stoke thought to be reluctantly willing to sell their most prized asset following their relegation from the Premier League this season.
It is thought the Potters want in excess of the £30m that Everton paid for Jordan Pickford last summer.
West Ham, Wolves and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Butland, who is battling with the aforementioned Pickford to be England’s number one at this summers World Cup.