Chelsea and Courtois delay contract talks

Speculation over the future of Courtois has been steadily increasing since Real Madrid's need for a new keeper has become more prominent. However, the 'Blues' have chosen to ignore the rumours and continue to delay negotiations with their player until after all their important matches are out of the way.

Both parties were expected to hold talks in February, to fend off interest from Madrid, but no discussions are yet to have taken place with only a day left until the start of March.

Courtois still has around 18 months left on his current deal, which runs out in the summer of 2019, but an extension would allow the club to offer him a pay rise and increase his release clause to ensure that if 'Los Blancos' make a move for the Belgian, Chelsea would be rewarded handsomely. 

However, both parties are in agreement that talks should not take place until after the 'Blues' negotiate the return leg of their Champions League clash with Barcelona and their FA Cup quarter-final tie with Leicester City, as they are Chelsea's best hopes for silverware this campagin.

In Europe, Antonio Conte's side take a 1-1 aggregate scoreline to the Camp Nou whilst the game against Leicester is just a 90-minute shoot-out, with extra-time and penalties looming if the score is shared at the final whistle.