Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has told Metro that he is worried that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could run down his Chelsea deal at Stamford Bridge and leave the side on a free transfer.
The shot-stopper has sealed himself as one of the best safe hands in the world at the club in recent years since coming back to his parent club from his loan spells at La Liga side Atletico Madrid.
The goalkeeper is regarded as one of the League’s top goalie along with Spaniard David De Gea and Hugo Lloris, and Chelsea are keen on keeping him at the club on a new long-term deal.
The goalkeeper’s existing contract at the West London club is set to run out at the end of next campaign and there has not been any good progress in negotiations about a new contract with Chelsea.
London rivals Arsenal find themselves in a difficult contract situation of losing two of their prominent players – Chilean Alexis Sanchez and German Mesut Ozil – and the end of the campaign, after the duo both failed to pen a new deal at The Emirates.
And the Italian tactician admits that he wants to avoid a similar contract situation with Belgium international goalkeeper as the safe hand heads towards the final year of his deal at Chelsea.
The Blues return to League action on Wednesday when they lock horns with Swansea City at home.