Real Madrid closing in to sign Thibaut Courtois

Spanish giants Real Madrid are closing in to sign the golden glove winner Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea, as Santiago Bernabeu look to shape the squad for upcoming season.

The Belgium International has less than 12 months remaining on his current deal at English side and the Premier League club are ready to accept an offer for him, rather than let him go for nothing next summer.

According to reports in Spain, talks are at a very advanced stage, with Marca reporting the player is happy to move to the Spanish capital to be closer to his family. The 26-year-old has already started looking for property around the Spanish capital, a place he knows well having spent three seasons on loan there with Atletico, AS reported.

It is thought that player's displays during the World Cup in Russia have accelerated a deal, and the fact the price quoted for the shot-stopper has dropped to a value acceptable to the Real hierarchy, believed to be around £36million.

Courtois has left the door open for a move away from Stamford Bridge following the World Cup, where he collected a bronze medal with Belgium.