Courtois ordered to return to Stamford Bridge again as Chelsea line up replacement

Chelsea have told Thibaut Courtois that he must come to a meeting this week after going AWOL two days in a row.

The disciplinary hearing comes after Courtois has apparently decided to force through a move to Real Madrid by not making his expected return after the World Cup.

Maurizio Sarri was due to meet Courtois on Monday to discuss his future, but Courtois was a no-show and did not make himself shown this morning either as he stayed in Belgium.

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The Belgian international has now been told to come to a meeting on Wednesday, where he may be issued with a fine worth two weeks’ wages. This comes after Courtois has turned down the offer of a new contract and made it clear he wants to leave the club.

Sarri confirmed after the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City that Courtois would be sold if he did not want to stay at the club.

There is disagreement between Chelsea and Real Madrid over Courtois’ value, which may have led to the current stand-off. Real have offered around £35m, while Chelsea are holding out for £50m even though Courtois’ contract has only a single year left to run.

Although Chelsea brought in Rob Green on a free transfer, Chelsea know that they need to bring in another senior ‘keeper should Courtois depart. They have been linked with Jack Butland, who could join for £25m after Stoke City’s relegation to The Championship.

The Sun also mentions Athletic Bilbao’s 23-year-old Kepa, who was himself a target for Real Madrid before he turned down a move to the Spanish club in favour of regular assured first-team football.