Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Atletico Madrid chief reveals preference in Manchester United and Chelsea sales
ATLETICO MADRID will not hold any grudges against either David De Gea or Thibaut Courtois if their former goalkeepers signed for rivals Real.
Chelsea fans turn on under-fire goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid are understood to be keen on signing Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois, with talks on a deal supposedly underway.
But the Bernabeu club still have a desire to sign De Gea after a deal with Manchester United spectacularly fell through at the 11th hour in the summer of 2015.
Both goalkeepers have played for Atletico in the past - Belgian Courtois in fact replaced De Gea when the Spaniard joined United in 2011.
I would prefer Real to sign De Gea
And Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin says he would prefer for Real to sign De Gea because Atletico would financially benefit from the transaction.
"I would not feel bad if Madrid signed him," Marin told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.
"I would prefer Real to sign De Gea because we own five per cent of the (sell-on fee).
Real Madrid could sign either Thibaut Courtois or David De Gea (right)
"Courtois is a great professional and a great guy and I wish him well but I think he should stay at Chelsea.
"It would not be a betrayal (to Atletico), I do not think the fans would feel that way."
Chelsea want to keep Courtois and managed to prevent him leaving the club for Real in the summer transfer window.
De Gea (left) signed a new contract at Manchester United last year
United signed De Gea from Atletico Madrid in 2011
Thibaut Courtois has been in fine form for Chelsea this season
Courtois (right) enjoyed a three-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid
The 24-year-old spend three years on loan at Atletico while being on the Blues' books.
Express Sport understands Chelsea could sign Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart if Courtois does leave.
As for De Gea, he signed a four-year contract with United in September 2015 after failing to secure a move to Real.
Both clubs blamed the other for a delay in the paperwork coming through on deadline day that summer.
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?