Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 6y

Thibaut Courtois: I've not delayed Chelsea contract talks to wait for Real

Thibaut Courtois has denied that he has postponed talks over a new Chelsea contract because he is hoping to attract an offer from Real Madrid, but said that his family situation makes the Spanish capital an attractive destination.

Chelsea are keen to extend the contract of Courtois, who is the subject of long-term interest from Madrid, but last month he said he will not consider any offers until closer to next summer, when he will enter the final year of his current deal. 

Complicating the situation is that the goalkeeper's two children live with his ex-girlfriend in Madrid, limiting the amount of time he gets to spend with them during the English football season.

But despite this, the former Atletico Madrid player said that he is settled at Chelsea and is only delaying contract talks in order to fully focus on the club's busy festive fixture schedule.

When asked if he is waiting for other offers, perhaps from Madrid, and that is why he has not signed a new contract with Chelsea, Courtois told La Sexta: "No. I'm calm, I'm happy at Chelsea. The reason why I've decided to wait is because we have a lot of games coming up and I want my mind to focus on this. 

"Everyone knows that my personal [family] situation pulls me to Spain -- if not now, then in the years to come."

Courtois spent the first three seasons of his Chelsea career on loan at Atletico before moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2014, and he has never hidden his desire to one day return to the Spanish capital.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca in September 2016, Courtois said that he "fell in love" with Spain and Madrid during his time in the country and even considers himself "half-Spanish."

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