Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois wants a move back to Spain for family reasons, his agent said, following reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
The Belgian is due to return to Chelsea training over the next few days after helping his country finish third at the World Cup and being voted the best goalkeeper in Russia.
The 26-year-old former Atletico Madrid number one has a year remaining on his Chelsea contract, but agent Christophe Henrotay said Courtois wants a move to the Spanish capital to be close to his two children.
“I have been reading everywhere that Chelsea are saying it is up to Thibaut, but he has made it clear to the club that the best option for him is to move to Madrid,” Henrotay told the Sun newspaper.
“For him this is a big decision because he wants to be near his family, and there is an offer in place for Chelsea to accept.”
Courtois has a three-year-old daughter and one-year-old son from a previous relationship.
“It is understandable people might be upset because he wants to leave the club, we accept that,” Henrotay added.
“But this is a human decision based on someone wanting to be close to his children — and that is a reasonable thing too.”
Henrotay also denied money is a motivating factor in Courtois’ desire to seek a new challenge.
“We have seen suggestions that it is about money, and it is true he could get an increase with a move,” he added.
“But he has turned down a better offer elsewhere because this is more than a financial decision.
“Throughout this it has important for everyone to be reasonable, and the buying club has come up with a reasonable offer for a player who has one year left on his contract when they know they could sign him without a fee in 12 months.
“Chelsea could get a fair fee for him now and sign a replacement. Or they would still have to sign a replacement next summer, but without getting a fee for Thibaut.
“It is understandable people might be upset because he wants to leave the club, we accept that.
“But this is a human decision based on someone wanting to be close to his children – and that is a reasonable thing too.”
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri on Friday expressed uncertainty over the future of his goalkeeper.
“At the moment Courtois is the goalkeeper of the club, of Chelsea,” he said. “I don’t know in the future. It depends on the club. It depends especially on him, I think.
“But, I hope that Courtois will be our goalkeeper. It’s very important for us to keep the top players.”
Chelsea were expecting Thibaut Courtois to stay before Real Madrid offered him a huge financial package, according to reports.
Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois is determined to quit for Real Madrid with just five days of the transfer window remaining.
The Belgium international’s family are located in the Spanish capital and, as a result, he is eager to jump ship.
However, The Sun say Chelsea were initially confident of keeping Courtois and were willing to give him a contract extension.
The goalkeeper’s current deal expires in 2019 meaning the Blues must either sell him this summer – or lose him on a free in 12 months time.
Chelsea were reportedly willing to tie Courtois down for the long term.
But sources say Real Madrid’s promise to increase his £100,000-a-week wages has turned the player’s head.Courtois is due back for pre-season training on Monday, with Chelsea opening their Premier League campaign away against Huddersfield on Saturday.