Thibaut Courtois has attempted to force his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid by going AWOL a mere four days to the beginning of the new season.
The Belgian, who helped his country to a third place finish at the recently concluded World Cup failed to show up to training earlier today, and has left Chelsea with few options other than to sell him and buy a replacement.
The West London Club now need to sign a replacement before Thursday transfer deadline, with Stoke City’s Jack Butland and Sevilla’s Sergio Rico on their radar.
Courtois also failed to show up at Wembley to watch Chelsea’s clash against Manchester City in the Community Shiled, which Chelsea eventually lost 2-0.
He was also expected to show up to training on Monday to have a face to face talk with new Manager Sarri, before any decision would be made about his future, but the 26-year old opted to stay in Belgium instead, in a bid to force a move to the Spanish capital, and offered no explanation.
Real submitted a bid of £35million for Courtois last week, and it isn’t clear what Chelsea made of the bid, but Courtois’ agent, Christophe Henrotay called on the club last week to let his client leave.
Courtois was meant to join the squad with other players that played in the later stages of the World Cup, and were given extended period for holiday. Cahill, Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kante, Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud all showed up to training, but the Belgian was missing.
Hazard, who also favoured a move to the Champion League holders posted pictures of himself laughing in training, and reassured Chelsea supporters that he would give his best as long as he represented the club, even though he seems to have missed out on his dream move.
Chelsea now have until Thursday to buy a replacement for Courtois, but can wait until the end of August to sell him.
Courtois is in the final year of his contract with Chelsea, and won 2 EPL title and a FA Cup with the London side.