CHELSEA look set to pay a heavy price – both on and off the pitch – for their disastrous campaign.
Not only will their failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League hit them financially, it is widely believed that a number of star players – including Eden Hazard and Diego Costa – will move on in the summer.
And the news for Blues fans gets worse with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the sights of Real Madrid.
Sportsmail reports: “Real Madrid will turn their attentions to Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois if they fail to land David De Gea this summer.
“It is understood Courtois would find it virtually impossible to turn down a return to the Spanish capital.
“The La Liga side have drawn up a list of alternatives in case a move for De Gea proves out of reach again, with Courtois top of the list.
“And the Blues are prepared to part with one of their top stars this summer to ease the financial impact of not qualifying for next season’s Champions League.”
The loss of Courtois would be a hammer blow for Chelsea, particularly having let Petr Cech join Arsenal last summer.
Since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2014 – after the Premier League club loaned him out to Atletico Madrid for three seasons – the Belgium number one has proved himself to be one of the best keepers in the world.
De Gea remains Real Madrid’s preference but Manchester United just about managed to cling onto their star keeper after a protracted and ultimately messy pursuit from Madrid last summer.
However, the Spanish giants will not fancy another long and potentially fruitless battle for the Spaniard and may feel they have a better chance of convincing Chelsea to part with Courtois.
Blues fans, who would be the bigger loss, Courtois or Hazard?
—–
Football Advisor – bet with confidence.
