Chelsea's Courtois admits: I'm thinking about LaLiga return
Speaking to Belgian television, Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois said that family issues have left him considering a move back to Spain.
Thibaut Courtois' Chelsea contract saga is, along with Arsenal's failure to tie down Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil, one that's dominating the attention in the Premier League. The goalkeeper, whose deal expires in 2019, is yet to agree fresh terms at Stamford Bridge amid speculation over a move back to LaLiga.
And, speaking to Belgian television, Courtois has acknowledged what the London Evening Standard revealed last Wednesday: that the lack of progress in talks over a new Blues contract is less about financial demands than family issues.
Courtois' ex-girlfriend back in Spain with two children
In an interview with VTM this week, the ex-Atlético Madrid man admitted that his personal situation "is not always easy", with his former girlfriend, who is from Spain, now back in the Spanish capital with their two young children.
"I love my children to death," Courtois, 25, explained in quotes published by ESPN. "When you miss them, you are sometimes wondering: shouldn't I play in Spain in the next few years? That's why I want to take my time to make a decision on that contract extension.
"In the media they're always talking about money," he said. "I'm not denying that it plays a role, but everything has to be in its right place. If I sign a new contract, I will want to say to Chelsea: Look, I commit myself for an 'X' amount of years.
Personal situation tough, but I'm otherwise happy at Chelsea
"I am happy here. I like playing for the club, I like London. My private situation is always gnawing a little bit, but for the rest I'm feeling very good at Chelsea. I don't see any reason why I won't sign a new deal. I just want to consider all options. Everything has to be right.
"It's not the right moment to make hasty decisions. Not for Chelsea, not for me. Within a couple of months we will sit around the table again and talk openly. There's no pressure, apart from the media. The club knows that too. Basically I want an agreement before the end of the season."
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