Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri will reportedly look to make a last-ditch attempt to hold talks with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois over his future with the club.
According to AS, the Belgium international is very clear in wanting a transfer to Real Madrid, but Sarri hopes to speak with him in the coming days before the August 9 Premier League transfer deadline.
The Italian tactician has only just joined the Blues and could really do without drama like this after inheriting a tricky situation from his predecessor Antonio Conte.
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Although Sarri did superb work at former side Napoli, he has had to contend with a number of big names at Stamford Bridge being linked with moves away this summer.
AS suggest that Courtois is unlikely to be sold to Real Madrid if Chelsea don’t sign a new ‘keeper of their own by next week’s deadline, even though the transfer window for other major European leagues remains open until the end of the month.
Still, the 26-year-old’s reported desire to leave doesn’t give Sarri an easy time of things, and it follows speculation over Eden Hazard, Willian and N’Golo Kante as well.
Don Balon continue to link Hazard as being the subject of big-money offers from Madrid, while the Times report that CFC are concerned by Willian’s late return to pre-season as Manchester United are among the clubs showing an interest.
Meanwhile, Kante has been linked as a priority target for Paris Saint-Germain by the Daily Mirror, who report the Ligue 1 giants are prepared to give it their all in their bid to prise the World Cup winner away from Chelsea.
Jorginho has been Chelsea’s only major signing coming in this summer, unless you include veteran ‘keeper Rob Green, who seems unlikely to even kick a ball for the club, but who has been drafted in as an emergency third choice between the sticks.
Sarri could certainly do with keeping his stars and adding a few more in the coming days if his side are to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles under Antonio Conte.