Real Madrid have reportedly submitted a £100 million offer to Chelsea for Thibaut Courtois in a deal that also includes Manchester United target Willian.
The Daily Mail claim that, according to sources in Spain, Real Madrid have submitted a sensational £100 million bid as they aim to land Thibaut Courtois. But, the report iterates that the offer is not for Courtois alone, with the bid being a double offer for the Belgian and Willian, who has been reported to be on his way to Manchester United.
Real Madrid’s bid for Thibaut Courtois is hardly a surprise. The rumours were afloat that the Belgian had agreed personal terms with Real Madrid. If the rumours are true, all that is left is for an agreement over transfer fees between Real Madrid and Chelsea. And Los Blancos have taken the first step by lodging a bid.
Real Madrid might just have also given Chelsea a solution to the Willian problem. The Brazilian was thought to be on his way to Barcelona before the Catalans decided to go for a cheaper and younger alternative in Malcom. The reports have since stated that Chelsea might be resigned to losing Willian to Manchester United, with a bid being accepted also doing the rounds.
Chelsea though, have been handed a lifeline, of sorts, by Real Madrid. The European Champions have offered a cumulative £100 million for Thibaut Courtois and Willian. With Courtois already on the way out and a fee near the £30 million mark being reported for the Belgian earlier, this means that Chelsea will be getting almost the entirety of the £70 million they had wished to rake in from Willian’s departure.
Real Madrid’s decision to pursue Willian could also be a masterstroke. Los Blancos need a new wide attacker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. While the club is looking to compensate for the Portuguese’s contribution by signing a world-class striker, Willian will also help take some weight off the shoulders of whoever is being brought in to spearhead the Real Madrid attack.
Also, with the pursuit of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe not really an achievable proposition, despite early reports, Willian can serve as the perfect stopgap till Real Madrid are actually able to land the duo or either one of the PSG stars.
Chelsea will also avoid making the Nemanja Matic mistake again and prevent Willian from joining a direct rival in Manchester United.
Willian is a seasoned campaigner and will be an asset to Real Madrid. If the club is able to convince Chelsea to part with Thibaut Courtois because of the combined offer, it will be a definite win for the European champions. It will be interesting to see how this rumour develops.
For now though, it seems like more frustration is headed towards the Manchester United camp, if the rumours do turn out to be true.
