Chelsea stopper Thibaut Courtois admits his ‘heart in is Madrid’ as he adds fuel to fire amid Real Madrid interest
Courtois' wife and two young children still live in Spanish capital and he accepts his 'personal situation could influence things'
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CHELSEA stopper Thibaut Courtois is "certain" he'll return to Madrid one day.
The Belgian international has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid with the Spanish side looking for a new No1 to replace Keylor Navas.
Courtois' wife and two children still live in the Spanish capital after he spent three years on loan at Atletico.
And the 25-year-old cast further doubt on his future at the Blues by admitting his "heart is in Madrid."
Yet he admits Zinedine Zidane's side have yet to make contact with the current Premier League champions.
Speaking to Sport/Foot Magazine, he said: "My personal situation is related to the city of Madrid.
"My two children live there with their mum. I have my daughter every day on FaceTime. She often tells me that she misses me. My son is still too small to communicate like that.
"Whenever I have the opportunity, I try to return to Spain. As a situation, it is not always easy. Yes, my heart is in Madrid. It is logical and understandable.
"If they [Real] want me, they have to contact Chelsea. We'll see. But they have not done that. What is certain is that one day I will return to Madrid. I love Spain, I love the city, I spent three wonderful years there. It is there that I became an adult.
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"Atletico was a real group of friends. We went out together and my team-mates taught me a language I did not know at all when I arrived. When I left, I cried. My first days in London were not easy. England, when I arrived, was colder, more business. Now, I feel very good here.
"I understand that the rumours are coming back today, as we are talking about a new goalkeeper there [at Real]. But I do not pay much attention to that, I stay focused on Chelsea.
"If Real are really interested, my personal situation could influence things. The family aspect is priceless. But I repeat to you that, for the moment, I'm busy talking to Chelsea to extend."
Courtois has just a year and a half left on his contract but admitted he will enter talks over an extension.
And the renewal of Eden Hazard's contract could convince him to stay.
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He added: "We agreed to meet again in February because the club had more urgent issues to deal with in January.
"There is no rush, I am under contract until 2019. Normally, there is no problem, I will extend. I am happy here and I see a club that still wants to win a lot of titles. The signs are positive.
"Their desire to also extend Eden Hazard's deal reassures me."