Thibaut Courtois could have joined Barcelona few years ago for a paltry transfer fee of €3-4m claims Bojan Krkic’s father, who was a former scout of Barcelona.
In an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, as relayed by Sport, he said back in 2011, Barcelona had the opportunity to sign Courtois. The Belgian goal keeper was playing for Genk when the opportunity arrived to sign him for €3-4m. However, Barcelona delayed and later Chelsea signed him on a permanent basis.
The incident happened in the last year of his office days claims Krkic’s father. Mr Krkic also claims that Barcelona had scouted French defender Raphael Varane when the defender was playing for Lens. Barcelona hesitated once again and Jose Mourinho pounced on the opportunity and him for Real Madrid.
To be fair to Courtois, he should not have any regret over how his career has panned out. Despite not playing for either of two big clubs, he still enjoyed three outstanding years with Atletico Madrid and won the La Liga and picked up the runners-up medal in the Champions League last season.
It is in Spain, where he became an established star, and secured the first choice goal keeping position for his country, Belgium.
At Chelsea, Mourinho has been using him as first choice goal keeper as well, leaving Petr Cech on the bench. So far, he has been terrific with his performances. As per EA Sports player performance Index, he is the best goal keeper in the league, having collected 140 points.
Courtois was often linked with a move to Barcelona last summer and Catalan press almost pressurised the Barcelona board members to sign him, even knowing he is contracted with Chelsea. It was all but speculation and wishful thinking from the Catalan press.
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