Chelsea are set to sign goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Genk on a five-year deal.
It is reported that Chelsea have paid around €9 million (£7.9 million) for the signature of Courtois.
Further claims suggest the 19-year-old Belgian will be loaned back to Genk, although Chelsea have yet to unveil the full details of the agreement.
Genk director Dirk Degraen said: “We received an enormous offer that gave us no choice but to let our goalkeeper leave.
“But I have mixed feelings about this transfer. Genk wanted Thibaut to stay a bit longer.”
Courtois, who is tipped for a bright future, is happy to wait for his chance to shine at Stamford Bridge, with Petr Cech the club’s long-standing No. 1.
He said: “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.
Speaking after his side’s 1-0 friendly match win over Portsmouth, Chelsea boss Andres Villas-Boas said: “There is an agreement between the two clubs. It is also subject to personal agreements and from then we will decide what is best for him.”
Asked whether Courtois could challenge for a first-team spot this season, Villas-Boas said: “Let’s wait for him to agree terms. It seems unfair for me to make any comment on him but as soon as he is a Chelsea player we will see what kind of future he has.”
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
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