Chelsea want Manchester United to miss out on top four – so they can keep hold of Thibaut Courtois
CHELSEA are desperate for Manchester United to miss out on the top four this season – so they can keep hold of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid have earmarked Chelsea stopper Courtois as one of two keepers they are interested in signing this summer, with David De Gea the other.
Chelsea fear Real Madrid will make a strong bid to sign Thibaut Courtois this summerGetty Images
The Premier League leaders believe De Gea is the Spanish club’s first choice target as Zinedine Zidane looks to bring in a world class player between the posts.
But there is a growing belief De Gea will opt to stay at Old Trafford if United secure a place in the Champions League next season.
David De Gea is also a target for Real, but Chelsea fear he will stay at Old Trafford if Manchester United qualify for the Champions League next seasonGetty Images
And that would leave Courtois as the only option for Real in the transfer market this summer – with Chelsea fearing the Belgian could be tempted by a move back to Spain.
Courtois spent three years on loan at Atletico Madrid at the start of his career and enjoyed his time in the Spanish capital.
And Madrid believe they could persuade him to make the switch to the Bernabeu despite Chelsea’s seemingly unstoppable march to the Premier League title this season.
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De Gea appears to be more settled with life in Manchester, happy at working with Jose Mourinho and the project at Old Trafford.
But another year out of the Champions League may force him to reconsider his options, and Chelsea fear that is the only realistic chance Real would have to get their number one target.
The league leaders already know they could face an attempt from the Champions League holders to sign star man Eden Hazard this summer.
De Gea saw a proposed move to Madrid fall through previously but is once again being linked with Los BlancosPA:Press AssociationThibaut Courtois has played in Spain for Atletico Madrid for three seasonsPA:Press AssociationReal Madrid have doubts about Keylor Navas as first choice goalkeeperEPA
They will play hard-ball with Real if it came to resisting all offers for Hazard, but may find it harder to deny the La Liga side if they came calling for Courtois as well.
United have two routes into the Champions League next season still within their grasp - by finishing in the top four or by winning the Europa League this year.
Mourinho's side are currently looking forward to a quarter-final clash with Anderlecht, and are among the favourites to win the competition.
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