Courtois has emerged as the Catalans’ desired choice to take up the role between the sticks.
Barcelona will be on the lookout for goalkeeping talent this season with Victor Valdes leaving next summer and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois has risen to the top of the list, reports the Daily Mail.
Valdes was thought to be leaving the Nou Camp this year – with AS Monaco keeping tabs – but the Spaniard has instead decided to see out the 31-year-old’s contract, but will be departing in 12 months time.
Barca have since been lining up a few possible replacements, Liverpool’s Pepe Reina being one after being ousted from the No.1 spot at Anfield and also Borussia Monchengladbach starlet Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
However, with Courtois having already adapted well to life in La Liga, as the 21-year-old has started a third successive campaign on-loan at Atletico Madrid, the Catalans see the Belgian as a ready-made alternative.
Atleti may be disappointed by this outcome, as the the third-placed side last time out would probably be hoping to secure the youngster themselves, if the ‘keeper were to leave Stamford Bridge.
Yet with Barca sniffing about the side from the Spanish capital would always be second favourites, although the Blues’ asking price could yet prove to be a stumbling block.
Whilst ter Stegen would probably set Gerardo Martino’s side back around £10m, the Premier League outfit are likely to ask for around three times as much as that for their man.
This is because despite the fact Courtois has spent so long away from west London, the club highly rate the Belgium international and are grooming the stopper to be a long-term replacement for Petr Cech.
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