Chelsea are prepared to allow Thibaut Courtois leave Stamford Bridge for free in the summer of 2019, rather than cash in on him earlier.
The Belgian has been in sensational form for the Blues since he returned from his three years loan at Atletico Madrid, and helped the Blues win the Premier League last season.
Antonio Conte is a fan of the Belgian and had earlier asked the Blues hierarchy to give a new deal to the goalie he considers the best in the world.
However, there hasn’t been much progress in talks between the club and the players hierarchy, with the Belgian preferring to resume talks after this season.
Real Madrid have Courtois as one of three goal keepers they want to replace the ageing Keylor Navas and could move for one of them next summer, but Chelsea would not sell and would rather let him leave for free in 2019.
However, de Gea who was superb for the Red Devils in their last match against Arsenal, making the joint highest save ever made by a Premier League goalkeeper, still has a deal with United until 2019, and the club retain the right to extend it by another year.
Courtois had earlier spent three seasons in the La Liga, winning the title with Atletico Madrid in the 2013/2014 season.
The Belgian is said to be interested in a move there but could stay if offered a huge pay increase.
