Chelsea were due to hold more contract talks with Thibaut Courtois but have delayed them until later next month, claims the London Evening Standard.

Antonio Conte’s side are desperate to resolve Courtois’ long-term future before the end of the season with Real Madrid circling.

The Belgium international has flirted with the idea of returning to Spain on more than one occasion this season and Madrid are interested in signing him.

Courtois will only have 12 months left to run on his current Chelsea deal in the summer but planned talks have been delayed.

Chelsea are now outside of the top four in the Premier League and have a huge Champions League game with Barcelona on the horizon after drawing the first leg 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Conte’s side want to concentrate on an important run of games and then plan to sit back down with Courtois after their league meeting with Leicester on 18 March when the next international break starts.

The defending Premier League champions have made it clear they are willing to pay Courtois in excess of £200,000-a-week to sign a new deal but fans are starting to lose patience as the Belgian continues to send come and get me pleas to Madrid.

Only Manchester United star David de Gea (15) has kept more Premier League clean sheets than Courtois (13) this season.

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