Chelsea are ready to spend £89million on Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak as Thibaut Courtois is set to leave Stamford Bridge, according to Don Balon.
The Spanish news outlet claimed on their website that the Blues have allowed Courtois to leave for Real Madrid, provoking Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to pay a world record fee for a goalkeeper. The current world record is he £65million fee Liverpool spent on Alisson Becker.
With Chelsea starting their Premier League campaign next Saturday, the Russian tycoon will be determined to complete a potential swap of shot stoppers before the end of the transfer window on August 9.
During Oblak’s four year spell with Atletico, the Slovenian international won last season’s Europa League and featured in goal for Atletico’s 2016 Champions League final defeat against rivals Real Madrid.
Good move for Chelsea?
If Courtois is to depart Stamford Bridge, Oblak would be a suitable replacment for the Blues as they are guaranteed an experienced shot stopper capable of performing in important matches.
The transfer fee is an extortionate amount for a goalkeeper but Chelsea will not want to end up without a solid number one choice before the near end of the transfer window.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
Since winning the World Cup golden glove, Thibaut Courtois has been heavily interested by Real Madrid and a move to Los Blancos looks inevitable.
Abramovich is a big fan of the Slovenian and will be determined to pull out all of the stops to lure Oblak to Stamford Bridge if Courtois departs to the Spanish captial.
Chelsea are not guaranteed Champions League football this season but with a huge reported transfer fee, it could be too much for Atletico and Oblak to turn down.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10