Chelsea face a battle to keep Thibaut Courtois as Standard Sport understands he eventually wants to return to Spain and would ideally like to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona.

The keeper is happy at Chelsea for the time being having become first-choice ahead of Petr Cech on his return to the club last summer but the situation is complicated by Real's impending move for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

The player is so far not willing to force a move but it is understood his representatives are actively exploring whether Real would be interested in signing Courtois, especially given the huge expenditure involved.