Chelsea will reportedly reopen negotiations with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois over a new contract before the end of the season.
Courtois's current deal expires at the end of the 2018-19 campaign, but talks over an extension have stalled amid interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
The Telegraph reports that Chelsea are growing increasingly concerned that the Belgium international could run down his deal and leave on a free transfer at the end of next season, and the club are now looking to take steps to prevent that from happening.
The Premier League champions are keen to tie Courtois down to a new contract before the summer in order to avoid a similar situation to the one facing Arsenal with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, both of whom could be available for a cut-price deal in January or else can leave on a free at the end of the campaign.
Courtois is understood to be demanding £205,000 a week at Stamford Bridge, which would bring him level with Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
Chelsea have reportedly been identifying possible replacements for Courtois as a contingency plan to prepare for any exit, with Stoke City's Jack Butland thought to be top of their list.
Barney Corkhill
