Chelsea have reportedly told Atletico Madrid that on-loan goalkeeper and Barcelona target Thibaut Courtois is available next summer at a price of €24m.
Atleti, who currently have the Belgian on a third consecutive season-long loan deal from the Premier League outfit, have reportedly maintained regular discussions with The Blues over his availability beyond that.
Sport report today that Los Colchoneros have indicated Courtois’ reluctance to return to Stamford Bridge next summer and that subsequently, Chelsea have suggested that a price of £21m, around €24m, would be enough for them to sign him outright.
It is also understood that Atleti CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has passed on this information to Barcelona Vice-President Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Barca are known to be in the market for a new goalkeeper for next season in light of Victor Valdes’ impending exit and it is understood that good relations between themselves and Atleti, in part down to David Villa’s cheap transfer last summer, have resulted in Gil Marin willingly informing them of Courtois’ possible availability.
It is also believed that the 21-year-old is open to a possible switch out to the Catalans, on from having been recently paired with the club in transfer speculation.
