Courtois says he only has two options, dismisses Real Madrid rumor

Thibaut Courtois says his future lies at Atletico Madrid or Chelsea, with links to any other clubs merely speculation.

It has been suggested that La Liga giants Real Madrid may look to a man occupying the number one jersey at their cross-city rivals when the transfer window reopens.

Courtois, though, claims there is no chance of him ending up at Santiago Bernabeu.

As he remains under contract at Chelsea and is enjoying a third season on loan at Atletico, there are only two choices to consider as far as he is concerned. 

The 21-year-old goalkeeper claims to have been offered no indication as to whether 2014/15 will be the campaign which sees him make the breakthrough at Stamford Bridge and says he will wait until the summer before making a decision on his long-term future.

Courtois told Castilla La Mancha TV: "The talk about Real Madrid is only rumors, it is not true. The one thing I have always said is that it's Atletico or Chelsea.

"I'm very happy to be with Atleti, my desire is to play and if I can't do that at Chelsea and I can continue here, I'll be very happy.

"I've never spoken with Mourinho. At the moment Chelsea cannot guarantee me a place in goal because (Petr) Cech is there, he is playing well and is one of the best keepers in the world."

Atletico hope the door will be opened to them, either for another loan deal or a permanent agreement, with president Enrique Cerezo eager to keep Courtois in the Spanish capital.

He told Marca: "He is comfortable with us and we're going to try and keep him here for as long as possible, but it's not up to us.

"But we're going to try with all our might to get him to stay."