Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois responds to Real Madrid links

Thibaut Courtois has given Chelsea a huge boost after claiming he will “certainly” sign a new contract.

Real Madrid have made keeper Courtois their top target this summer, and have been courting the Belgium No1.

But the champions-elect are ready to give him a new deal worth £200,000-a-week — and the 24-year-old has made it clear he is ready to commit himself.

Asked about his future, Courtois — who spent three years in Madrid on loan from the Blues to Real's rivals Atletico from 2011-2014 — said: “Real Madrid? I don’t see myself there, I see myself at Chelsea. I feel like I’m a key player in the team.

“I don’t see myself anywhere else. I won’t be at Real Madrid next season. They’re a club where the demand is very high, like at Chelsea, in Manchester or any big club in Europe.

“I’m very calm because since my first year [at Chelsea], I’ve heard things like that [interest from Real Madrid]. Here at Chelsea, we’re fighting for the league and the FA Cup and I’m happy.

“I have two more years of my contract left.

"In London, everything is going well for me and I’m happy.

"Would I like to be offered a renewal? Certainly. I’m very happy at Chelsea and if they want me to stay, great.”

Courtois suggested he is in it for the long haul with first-year boss Antonio Conte building a new era of success at Stamford Bridge.

“We’re working very well under Conte and there’s a long-term project to win trophies on a European level," he said.

“Until now, we haven’t talked about my renewal. At the moment, we’re focused on winning the League, although we’re 10 points clear.

“Both the club and the coach want peace of mind right now, so we’re not thinking about renewals. We’ll see if, when the season finishes, they offer me something, but at the moment there isn’t one.”