“My son is still very young to be able to communicate that way, each time I get a chance I travel to Spain and this is a situation which is not always easy. Yes, my heart is in Madrid."
And Marca suggest Chelsea regret loaning Courtois out for so many years as it allowed him to lay down roots in Spain, meeting the mother of his two children, who still live in Madrid.
As a result, the goalkeeper now wants to leave Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are aware of his decision to leave and appear to be eyeing replacements for their current No 1.
Roma’s Alisson Becker is understood to be on a list of targets devised by Roman Abramovich.
Real Madrid transfer news: Chelsea loaned Thibaut Courtois to Atletico in 2011 (Image: GETTY)
Real Madrid will sign De Gea or Courtois, says Shay Given
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The 25-year-old is set to start for Brazil when they face Mexico in the last 16 of the World Cup today.
And Chelsea are keeping tabs on him amid interest from Real and Liverpool.
Another player who could replace Courtois is AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The teenager may leave the club after growing dislussioned with life at the San Siro.
Who Chelsea end up replacing Courtois with, though, remains to be seen.