UPDATE: Terreur reports that it’s a 6-year deal for Courtois, instead of the 5-year length reported in Spain. Tomato/tomato.
Thibaut Courtois is in Belgium, waiting for a call to travel to Madrid.
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) August 8, 2018
✍ Real Madrid expect to finalise the deal tomorrow. There is an agreement over a 6-year deal.
Real are paying around £35m to Chelsea. #cfc pic.twitter.com/Qgju4P4STW
PREVIOUSLY:
It might be a banner day at Radio COPE in the Spanish capital. As one of the primary, if not the primary pushers of the Courtois-to-Real Madrid deal for well over a year, the impending completion of that transfer is surely a champagne moment for them, too. Of course, if you repeat something a million times and it eventually comes true on the millionth and first time, can you really claim victory? Alfredo Pedulla says you can.
In any case, COPE’s El Partizado program, via a journalist who’s following Real Madrid on their US Tour, claims that Courtois has finalized personal terms on a five-year contract and will sign tomorrow (Wednesday). The fee is previously reported €35m (with other sources reporting additional bonuses that should take it up towards €40m).
Informa @melchorcope:
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) August 7, 2018
➡️ El Real Madrid, a falta de la firma, tiene cerrado el fichaje de Courtois por 35 millones de euros. Firmará por 5 temporadas.
➡️ Si todo va bien se hará oficial mañana cuando llegue el Madrid de la gira por Estados Unidos. #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/cNb3h3azMX
The same journalist also claims that the Mateo Kovačić deal is done, and that it will be a one-year loan without a buy-option. Reports on Tuesday claimed that Chelsea might be pushing for the inclusion of one, but it would appear that Madrid are not yet ready to lose the 24-year-old Croatian “beast”.
Informa @melchorcope:
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) August 7, 2018
➡️ El Madrid ha cerrado la cesión de Kovacic por un año con el Chelsea. Lo cerró ayer José Ángel Sánchez en Londres.
➡️ El croata se marcha al Chelsea en busca de minutos, aunque tenía ofertas de Italia.#PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/pIn5PvA6cV
COPE also report that Chelsea will not fine Courtois for the missed days in training since it’s all water under the bridge at this point — we’re only petty when it comes to Conte, apparently — and that Kepa-to-Chelsea also looks close.
With less than 48 hours to go in the transfer window, it better be!
Informa @danigilopez:
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) August 7, 2018
➡️ El Chelsea ha hablado con Courtois para que explicara los motivos de su ausencia en los entrenamientos sin permiso del club.
➡️ El club londinense no va a multar al portero belga porque su futuro está casi resuelto.#PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/tbLa1EEgS0