Spanish champions Barcelona have set their sights on Atletico Madrid’s on-loan goalkeeper from Chelsea, Thibaut Courtois and are looking to replace Victor Valdes with the young Belgian.
The 21-year-old joined Chelsea in 2011 from Genk but was immediately sent on loan to Atletico Madrid, where he has spent two successful seasons and is into his third consecutive season at the Spanish club.
Barcelona had previously targeted Liverpool goal keeper Pepe Reina, who has joined Napoli on a season long loan. With Reina’s future more or less over at Anfield, Barcelona have shifted their target elsewhere and are keen to find a long-term-replacement of Valdes, whose contract will expire at the end of this season.
According to Belgian newspaper Sportwereld, the Catalan giants are also targeting the highly rated Borussia Mönchengladbach goal keeper Marc-André ter Stegen along with the Belgian. Although, Courtois hasn’t played any game for Chelsea yet, but the Blues rate him highly and he is seen as the long term successor of club hero Petr Cech.
Here are other major stories of the day:
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out for crucial qualifier clash against Moldova – The Guardian
Manchester United winger Nani has signed a new five-year-contract at the club – BBC
Arsene Wenger looking to offer Fresh contracts to his star players – Daily Mail
Mesut Ozil looking to help Arsend end trophy drought – Daily Mirror
All Rubbish! RvP happy to work under David Moyes – Sky Sports
After 22 years as lead pundit for MOTD, Alan Hansen stepping down – The Telegraph
Steven Gerrard wants to manage Liverpool someday – Daily Mirror
José Mourinho’s son ‘signs’ for Chelsea’s west London rivals Fulham – The Guardian
Over to Spain
Jesus Navas says Iker Casillas would be great reinforcement for Manchester City – 20minutos.es
Madrid Derby will be played on 28th September – AS
Xavi praises his friend Valdes – El Confidencial
Lionel Messi and his father pay Five Million Euros fraud taxes – El Pais
Chelsea’s David Luiz claims he rejected offers from Barcelona – Sport
Sergio Canales says Valencia are lacking confidence – Super Deporte
Real Madrid tried to sign Mario Gomez – Marca
News from Italy
Rafa Benitez: Napoli is like Liverpool – Forza Italian Football
Top 10: Serie A’s Most Expensive Summer Signings 2013 – Forza Italian Football
Kaka unveiled by Milan – Football Italia
Buffon: “Prandelli leaving? It’s a non-problem” – GazzettadelloSport
Elsewhere in Europe
What Arsenal fans can expect of Mesut Ozil – Bundesliga Fanatic
Munich trumps Berlin as Euro 2020 candidate – The Local
That is all we have for today. Leave your comments below…
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