Thibaut Courtois has reportedly been authorised to leave Chelsea in the close-season, if the Blues were to receive a suitable transfer fee.
Antonio Conte is set to take charge of Chelsea after Euro 2016, and based on the club’s disastrous 2015/16, could immediately be tasked with a rebuilding job via the transfer market.
Many of the league title-winning stars of 2014/15 have greatly underperformed this term, leaving the Blues firmly in mid-table, having taken just 47 points from their 34 games thus far.
Suffering from injury, suspensions and a loss of form, Courtois has certainly endured a difficult season. He has also been consistently linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge throughout the campaign.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Belgium international has now been granted his wish of a transfer by new boss Conte.
The former Juventus manager is prepared to sell the goalkeeper before next season, the report claims, though the west London club will expect a significant transfer fee.
Indeed, the source suggests that a £73m valuation was once placed on Courtois – however, that figure could fall, based on his recent performances.
Courtois’ season began in terrible fashion, as the former Atletico Madrid loanee received a red card in an opening-day draw with Swansea City.
By September, he had suffered a problematic injury which ultimately ruled him out of action for 10 weeks, in which time deputy Asmir Begovic kept four league clean sheets.
Since his return, Courtois has featured in 18 league games, notching five shut-outs. Recently, his misery was compounded after earning a second sending-off, during a 3-0 loss to Manchester City.
COMMENTS