Chelsea transfer news: Thibaut Courtois distances himself from Atletico and Real Madrid moves

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Thibaut Courtois has denied that he has any intention of returning to Madrid and insisted that he is happy at Chelsea.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper spent three years on loan at Atletico Madrid, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Europa League, as well as reaching the 2014 Champions League final.

Courtois has since established himself as Chelsea’s first-choice ‘keeper, but rumours of a return to the Spanish capital, potentially to Atletico’s neighbours Real Madrid, have persisted.

The Belgium international has, however, distanced himself from talk of an exit from Stamford Bridge, insisting: “I never had anything with Real Madrid.

“I did not see anything published, but I never had any contact with Real Madrid. I am happy at Chelsea. Everything is going very well. It is a great club,” he told Cope, the Spanish radio station.

“There is no reason not to be happy at Chelsea. You never know what will happen in the future, but at the moment I am very well, in a very good atmosphere.

“There was never any talk about a possible return to Atletico,” he added. “These are rumours that come out from people who do not know anything.”

Courtois’ comments contradict his previous suggestion that Real Madrid sent a message of goodwill to him after he sustained a knee injury last season.

In September, Courtois told Marca, the Spanish sports newspaper: “Real Madrid showed me a very nice gesture when I injured my knee last year - they sent me a fax to wish me a speedy recovery.”

Courtois, who has a Spanish girlfriend, went on to describe himself as feeling “half Spanish” in the same interview and claimed that he would return to the country one day.

After his comments caused some consternation among Chelsea’s support, Courtois clarified that his return to Spain could come “after his career”.

Courtois has kept six consecutive clean sheets for Chelsea since Antonio Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation, which has kick-started his side’s Premier League title challenge.