Chelsea Goalkeeper Courtois Set To Hand In Transfer Request To Join Barcelona

Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois is planning to force a move to Barcelona in the summer by handing in a transfer request, reports in Spain claim.

The 21-year-old youngster is currently enjoying his third successive season loan at the Vicente Calderon, where he has built a reputation as one of the finest shot stoppers in Europe, leading his side to the Champions League final after beating parent-club Chelsea.

The future of the Belgian goalkeeper has been under scrutiny in recent weeks, with some reports claiming that Jose Mourinho wants him back at Stamford Bridge while La Liga giants Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are fighting to secure his services.

Last week both Catalan newspapers Mundo Deportivo and Sport reported that the keeper is likely to stay in La Liga and with Atletico unable to afford his signing he is dreaming of joining Barcelona.

And now Mundo Deportivo add that Courtois is so desperate to join the Catalans that he is even ready to hand in a transfer request at Chelsea in order to complete the deal in the summer.

It is understood that Barcelona have already signed German keeper Marc Andre Ter-Stegen but with both Victor Valdes and his understudy Pinto set to leave the club at the end of the season they are keen on signing another keeper.

However, the report add that while Barcelona officials are likely to sign Courtois sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta have some doubts about it so the final decision could be in the new manager hands.

Meanwhile AS claims that Mourinho is considering getting Courtois back after recent defeat against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, with veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer forced to play due to Petr Cech's injury.

According to AS, Chelsea had agreed terms with Atletico to let Courtois stay one season longer in La Liga just before the tie but with Cech now facing surgery Mourinho may reconsider his plans and ask for his imminent return.