Madrid star open to exit if Newcastle offer ‘astronomical’ money

Lewis Oldham
Newcastle target Courtois

Newcastle United target Thibaut Courtois would be open to leaving Real Madrid if he is offered an “astronomical” signing on bonus, according to reports.

After spending his early career in Belgium with Genk, Courtois joined Chelsea in 2011.

The goalkeeper had three successful years on loan at Atletico Madrid up until 2014. He returned to Chelsea ahead of the 2014/15 season and he played 154 times for them before the end of the 2017/18 campaign.


Not even petrodollars can save this version of Newcastle


Courtois has spent the last four years at Real Madrid. He has been their number one over this period and he has already featured 20 times this term.

His current deal at Madrid does not expire until 2026. Spanish outlet El Nacional are reporting that Newcastle, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all interested in him.

They state that Courtois has “ordered his agent to listen to each and every one of the proposals” that come in for him.

If he is offered an “astronomical” signing on bonus and salary, he would start to “study” his Real Madrid departure.

Elsewhere, Jonjo Shelvey has revealed that training has been “very intense” so far under Eddie Howe:

“It is very intense. You are on it every second of the day.

“You are constantly thinking of football. That is the way football should be played. He has galvanised everything.

“You are training but, like last international break, I would be asleep by 8pm every night because we were shattered from training!

“It takes getting used to but the lads are there now. We have to work day by day and week by week to get the results.”

The midfielder continues by admitting that all the players are behind Howe and his more attacking philosophy.

“Everyone is on board with what they want to do. You could see from the Brentford performance we were on the front foot, pressing more, more chances and better on the ball. For me personally it was better to play in that style so it is good.

“We go to Arsenal with a plan about how to win the game.

“When a new manager comes in you never know where you are going to stand. He said everyone has a clean slate and everyone has jumped on board what he is trying to do.