Belgian goalkeeper Courtois to open talks to stay at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s 24-year-old goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to open talks over a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte insists Courtois is staying at Chelsea despite reported overtures from Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old Belgium international spent three years on loan from Chelsea at Atletico Madrid before displacing Petr Cech as the Blues’' first-choice goalkeeper.

Courtois has since been linked with a return to Madrid, with Real, prompting suggestions he could be offered a new contract with Premier League leaders Chelsea.

“I think it’s not important to clarify the situation,” Conte said.

“He stays with us and this is the most important thing. The other situations are only speculation.

“Thibaut is, for me, one of the best - if not the best - goalkeepers in the world.

“This season he’s playing very well, and you can see that he’s not only very good with his hands but also with his feet.

“Yes, I think he's a complete goalkeeper. He's a model goalkeeper.”

Chelsea, with Courtois in goal, have conceded just twice and scored 28 times in a 12-game winning run.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger labelled Conte’s side the “superfavourites” and said the title was Chelsea’s to lose on Friday.