Premier League champions Chelsea have reportedly frozen contract talks with Real Madrid target Thibaut Courtois until critical games in the FA Cup and Champions League are negotiated.
Courtois, 25, has little more than a year left to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge. This has led to talk that Los Blancos are eager to take advantage of the situation this summer as they look to buy an upgrade on Costa Rica No1 Keylor Navas.
The London Evening Standard have stated both Chelsea and their shot stopper have agreed to park discussions on an extension until they’ve played the second leg of the round-of-16 European clash at La Liga leaders Barcelona on March 14, plus the domestic cup quarter-final with Leicester four days later. These tournaments represent the club’s last hopes of silverware this term.
The Blues have informed Courtois they intend to offer him in excess of £200,000-per-week (Dh1m). The Belgium international joined them from Genk in July 2011 for €9m (Dh40.4m).
But Courtois has previously spoken of a desire to return to Madrid. He played on loan at Atletico from 2011-14 and has two children there.
