Thibaut Courtois has handed Chelsea a huge boost after revealing he is close to agreeing terms to a new contract with the club.
The Belgium international previously shelved contract talks until the end of the season, which fuelled speculation he was holding out for a move to Real Madrid.
Courtois’ current deal is due to expire in 2019 and the 25-year-old has previously been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu.
However, Madrid are expected to sign Athletic Club goalkeeper Kepa and Courtois has now suggested his long-term future is at Stamford Bridge.
“I’m happy at Chelsea and a deal is close,” Courtois told the London Evening Standard. “Has it been a distraction? Not for me. I’m just calm and relaxed because I’m tied to Chelsea.
“Despite the rumours and everything, I am focused on Chelsea and I’m happy here. Do Eden and I encourage each other to sign? Yes. He will say ‘if you sign, I will sign’ and I say the same to him.
“I think we are both happy at Chelsea, we both have a good part to play. We have been champions twice in four seasons I have been here and can have our peak years together at Chelsea.”
Courtois turned in a superb performance during Chelsea’s trip to Arsenal on Wednesday night but was not able to prevent the Gunners from scoring twice.
However, only David de Gea (12) have kept more clean sheets in the Premier League this season than the Chelsea shot-stopper (11).
