Blues hope that Belgium’s inclusion may persuade Atletico to do business
Chelsea are hoping to use goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as part of the deal to help persuade Atletico de Madrid to part company with in-form front man Radamel Falcao at the end of this season, reports Spanish newspaper El Economista.
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The huge Belgium international is currently out on loan at the Vincente Calderon having been sent out to the Spanish capital to gain valuable top-level experience in the summer of 2011, when he first arrived at Stamford Bride.
Courtois has enjoyed a fine spell with Atletico, with his outstanding form between the sticks helping the club win last season’s Europa League, while in this campaign they are second in the table and ahead of city-rivals Real Madrid in the Liga standings.
And with Blues owner Roman Abramovich desperate to bring deadly Colombia international Falcao to Stamford Bridge this summer, the Russian oligarch is hoping that by offering Courtois to Atletico, as well as a reported £55 million, then he will be able to steal a march on the likes of Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to land the front man.
Falcao has scored an eye-catching 22 goals in only 21 games for Atletico this campaign compared to Blues record-signing Fernando Torres, who has netted just 15 in 41 matches.
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