Courtois being courted by Barcelona.

The Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is being courted by the Catalan giants Barcelona.  Chelsea's 20-year-old goalkeeper, who was bought from Racing Genk for £8 million in September 2011 and then immediately sent to Atletico Madrid on loan, is being considered by Barcelona as a potential long-term replacement for Victor Valdes.

The Sun have said that an approach has been made by Barcelona but they are yet to do anything formally.  Traditionally the second date is where Barca do their most serious work.

The question now is whether Chelsea wish to keep hold of him.  Originally their plan was to keep Courtois at Atletico until the end of this season but in order to keep hold of him they may need to show him some love sooner and bring him back to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.

The lot of an up and coming or reserve goalkeeper...  Either sitting around waiting for someone to retire or become injured or being sent on loan around the world.  Goalkeepers frequently pass and make records for consecutive appearances and therefore the choice is often bench or bust.  The perennial understudy.  The club is also in a tricky position, a goalkeeper not yet ready for first team football needs to be eased in gradually but take too long and another suitor will step in and steal them away.  A parlous position, a quirky quandry.

Peter Stickney