Courtois could trigger transfer merry-go-round for Liverpool, Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois says he will return to Chelsea for talks over his future, but hinted his expectations may well have changed after helping Belgium to a third-place World Cup finish.

Real Madrid are widely reported to be monitoring his situation, while Gianluca di Marzio claimed in May that Liverpool would turn to the Belgium No. 1 to solve their goalkeeper problem.

The Belgian’s future at Stamford Bridge has been under the spotlight for six months after he reportedly told the Blues he will not extend his contract, which is due to expire in the summer of 2019.

Courtois though has claimed he is not against staying at Stamford Bridge, but the new contract on the table, believed to be worth £200,000, may not be to the keeper’s liking.

Asked if he was coming back to Chelsea: “I will be coming back, for sure, and I will see what they want and how they say it. Obviously with this World Cup, I think what was on the table obviously is different than what I can have, maybe.

“People always complain that players don’t comply with their contracts, but maybe they do. I don’t think they will keep someone with my qualities on the bench, even if I don’t sign a new contract. But maybe staying is possible, because I like it in London.

“In this World Cup, I have ignored all the speculation, all the rumours but now in the next few days I will have a chat with my agent and see what Chelsea told him, and then we will talk. But I feel happy at Chelsea, it’s not that I necessarily want to leave.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is believed to be looking to replace Loris Karius and could turn to Courtois, if Roma keeper Alisson proves too expensive.

The Sunday Mirror claims Liverpool will finally launch an expected €70million offer for the Brazil keeper this week and Rome-based journalist Alessandro Austini claims the Reds are favourites to land him, despite interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid.