COURTOIS IN PAY SNUB
CHELSEA have been told to come back with a better offer after Thibaut Courtois rejected his proposed pay rise.
The Belgium keeper, 25, has two years left on his £100,000-a-week deal.
But the champions know he is one of the hottest keepers in world football, at a time when Real Madrid are in the market for a new No.1.
Courtois wants to earn the same as Manchester United’s David De Gea, who is also on Real’s summer wish-list.
De Gea earns £200,000 a week, but Chelsea have refused to match that sum for Courtois.
Further talks are planned for July with Chelsea adamant they will not sell the £70m-rated shot-stopper.
Blues boss Antonio Conte has already let back-up keeper Asmir Begovic leave for Bournemouth for £10m this month. Willy Caballero is set to move to west London after leaving Manchester City at the end of last season.
Caballero was Pep Guardiola’s first choice between the sticks after Claudio Bravo flopped so spectacularly last term.
Relaxed
But the Argentinian, 35, will arrive at Stamford Bridge knowing he is almost certain to spend most of the season on the bench.
Chelsea are relaxed about Courtois’ contract situation – and reports that Conte could quit.
The Blues have been dormant in the transfer market at a time when both Manchester clubs have been busy bringing in new faces.
Conte wants more strength in depth to cope with the demands of their Champions League comeback.
But suggestions from Italy that the former Juventus boss could walk away are not causing any panic at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are hopeful of bringing Everton’s Romelu Lukaku back to the club and have Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko in their sights.
Chelsea remain keen on Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, especially now Southampton have fallen out with Liverpool.
The south coast club accused the Anfield outfit of tapping up their central defender.