Atletico Confirm Chelsea Want €25m for Permanent Courtois Move

Atletico Madrid's president Enrique Cerezo has admitted that they are keen on signing Chelsea loanee goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on a permanent basis but believe the deal will be complicated by Chelsea's €25m valuation.

Chelsea signed the Belgium international in 2011 after paying £5m to Genk but has never made an appearance for the Blues, having been sent out on loan to Atletico.

The 21-year-old 'keeper is currently enjoying his third season at the Vicente Calderon Stadium where he has built a reputation as one of the finest shot stoppers in Europe - helping Atletico win the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid last season and the Europa League the previous campaign.

Manager Diego Simeone is desperately trying to keep him in the squad next season and president Cerezo suggested to Spanish radio station Cope that in order to convince Chelsea to part ways with the Belgian they will have to pay €25m.

"I believe that Chelsea have place €25m price tag on Courtois," Cerezo said. "He is worth a lot because he is the best in Europe but €25m is too much for a keeper."

"The deal does not depend just on us, Chelsea also have to accept to sell.

"He is a great goalkeeper. He is playing amazingly well but he belongs to Chelsea and €25m is a lot of money. Let's see what can we do," Cerezo added.

Atletico's precarious financial position does not allow them to pay the £20m that Chelsea demand for Courtois and reports in Spain last week claimed that La Liga side are considering offering some of their biggest stars in exchange to get the deal done.

Manager Jose Mourinho is willing to get him back to challenge Petr Cech for the number one shirt next season but the Belgium international does not want to be on the bench and his future remain up in the air.

Courtois conceded the least amount of goals in La Liga last year and this campaign he has been also instrumental in Atletico's successful start to the season.