Real Madrid have cooled their interest in Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with the Spanish side set to complete a January move for Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao.
The 23-year-old keeper has been in sensational form in La Liga this season, and Marca have reported that Real plan to trigger his £20 million buy-out clause when the transfer window opens in a few weeks.
Chelsea stopper Courtois has been stalling on signing a new and improved contract at Stamford Bridge, with many believing that this has been in the hope of securing a move to the Bernabeu. The Belgian international played for Real’s city rivals Atletico in the past and has regularly spoke of his love for life in the Spanish capital.
This news however, seems to indicate that Courtois will have to make do with life in London for now, as at 23-years-old Arrizabalaga is seen as an ideal long-term replacement for current Los Blancos number one Keylor Navas.