Thibaut Courtois is close to signing a new Chelsea contract – and is roping Eden Hazard into staying.
Courtois has confirmed he is likely to pen fresh terms in the next few weeks, with a £200,000-a-week deal set to double his pay packet and make him the best-paid keeper on the planet.
He has urged Belgium pal Hazard to commit his future at Stamford Bridge and for the club to reject Real Madrid’s advances.
Courtois, 25, said: “It has just turned the new year, so we will wait a few weeks and then sit around the table.
“I’m happy at Chelsea and a deal is close.
“Do Eden and I encourage each other? Yes. He will say ‘if you sign, I will sign’ and I say the same to him.”
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Former Atletico Madrid stopper Courtois is out of contract in 2019 and has also been linked with Real.
He warns Blues chiefs that the club will be worse off not matter how much they may bank from selling Hazard.
As revealed by SunSport, Real are preparing an opening bid of £120million for Hazard, 26, who has two seasons left on his deal.
Courtois celebates a stunning save in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal
Speaking to journalist Kristof Terreur, Courtois added: “With the money he will raise, you can buy five players but none of them will be like Eden.
“It would be like Barcelona losing Lionel Messi or Real Madrid losing Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Losing a player like Eden would be bad for us, the club. Eden is irreplaceable.”
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