• Premier League

Chelsea confirm medical for £7.9m Courtois

ESPNsoccernet staff
July 18, 2011
Thibaut Courtois will sign a five-year deal © PA Photos
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Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that highly-rated Racing Genk goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is undergoing a medical prior to completing a reported £7.9 million move to Chelsea.

Genk director Dirk Degraen revealed that the Belgian club had received an "enormous offer" for Courtois that they simply could not refuse, although officially the amount remains undisclosed.

Villas-Boas, speaking on arrival in Malaysia where Chelsea will play a pre-season friendly on Thursday, told the club's official website: "At this moment he is having a medical but has not yet agreed personal terms.''

Courtois is expected to agree a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge, but the 19-year-old could be loaned back to Genk for next season in order to continue his development. The Belgian Pro League title winner, who is tipped for a bright future, is happy to wait for his chance to shine at Chelsea, with Petr Cech the club's long-standing No. 1.

"Chelsea see me as the successor to Petr Cech. It won't happen in one or two years, but in three, four or five years. I can therefore work on my development in peace," Courtois said at the weekend.

Courtois, who made his league debut for Genk in April 2009, aged just 16, will not join the Blues on their Asian tour should his transfer go through. Following the match against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur, Chelsea move on to Bangkok to take on the Thailand All Stars before travelling to Hong Kong for two matches in the Asia Trophy.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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