Chelsea close to signing Courtois

Reports suggest Chelsea are close to completing a deal for Genk's teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The 19-year-old is very highly rated and helped Genk to win the Belgian championship last season.

The Premier league runners-up have been courting the young goalkeeper for a number of months.

Courtois' father and agent Thierry confirmed a deal was close and he expected it to go through on Tuesday.

"He [Thibault] was in in Chelsea last week," he revealed to Het Belang Van Limberg.

"I think Chelsea and Genk have reached an agreement. Tuesday we will come and talk about the transfer."

Chelsea are reportedly happy to let Courtois return to Genk on loan, and his father admitted this was an option but he rubbished any claims he could sign a new deal with the Belgian club.

"Maybe Chelsea will lend Thibaut to Genk, but a contract extension does not interest us anymore," he added.

Chelsea are also understood to be interested in making a double deal with Genk, as talks over midfielder Kevin de Bruyne also continue.

The Blues had hoped to send De Bruyne back on loan to Belgium, but to Genk's rivals Anderlecht, which would also have helped improve their continued pursuit of Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku, he admits he is happy to stay at Anderlecht, should his move to Chelsea fail to happen this summer.

"Occasionally you might yearn for something new, but for now I sit here very well. We'll see where it goes," he said after returning for pre-season training.

But he still admits a move to England is his dream, adding: "I would really like a top transfer and I have always wanted to go to England."

Main picture courtesy of Thibaut Courtois via Facebook