Zinedine Zidane could be thwarted in his attempts to sign Thibaut Courtois after the goalkeeper admitted he is happy at Chelsea.
The Belgian spoke to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser about ongoing rumours he’ll swap his place at Chelsea for a stint at the Bernabeu, and it’ll come as music to the ears of Antonio Conte.
“I have two years contract, so far we have not talked about a renewal,” he began.
“Would I like to extend? Of course. I am very happy at Chelsea and if they wanted to continue with me, it would be great.
“I do not see myself at Real Madrid. I see myself at Chelsea, I feel like I’m a key to the team.”
Conte has convinced him to stay by all but steering Chelsea to the title. Last season, Courtois endured a miserable campaign, struggling for form and with a rumoured falling-out with the club’s goalkeeping coach.
The 24-year-old previously spent a loan spell at Atletico Madrid, and that seems to have fuelled rumours that he’ll be returning to the Spanish capital with Los Blancos.
Zidane is expected to sign another stopper this summer having been unimpressed – for no real reason whatsoever – by Keylor Navas.
If Courtois is off limits, Zizou may well turn his attentions back to Manchester United’s David de Gea or Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris.
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