Maurizio Sarri met the press for the first time since becoming Chelsea manager today, but away from London Real Madrid have made big plans to strike an early blow to the new Blues boss.
According to a report from Don Balon this afternoon, Madrid plan to unveil Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as their player in around five days’ time after coming to an agreement with the player and finalising things with his club.
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The Belgium international should make a superb purchase for Los Blancos, looking like a clear upgrade on current no.1 Keylor Navas.
Courtois has long been one of the top performers in the Premier League and one of the finest ‘keepers in the European game, as he showed on the biggest stage at the World Cup this summer.
Sarri did not discuss much in the way of transfers at his first press conference, and there is no indication yet that Courtois’ name came up, though some of his quotes may be embargoed until later this evening.
Courtois rumours have been hotting up for some time now, with RMC reporting last night that a deal could be days away now, while his team-mate Eden Hazard has also agreed terms.
Marca, meanwhile, describe the 26-year-old as being ‘more than close’ to a £30million move to the Bernabeu, so it may not be long now before fans of the Spanish giants get to see their new Galactico unveiled by the club.