5 goalkeepers Chelsea could target to replace Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois is yet to sign a contract extension with Chelsea as his current deal ends in 2019. Real Madrid have shown interest in the Chelsea goalie as they look to replace Keylor Navas.

Along with the Spanish giants, PSG and Juventus have also been linked to the former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper. The Belgian international is one the best goalkeepers in the world and has a very impressive CV - with one Europa League title, 2 domestic cups and league titles in Spain and England with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea respectively.

Recently, Courtois revealed that there was no progress in his contract talks with Chelsea and he will be happy to leave further negotiations until the summer. Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte admitted that he wants the club to extend the goalkeeper's current contract.

It is believed that Courtois wants his wages to be doubled from £100,000-a-week to £200,000-a-week, matching the earnings of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea. If he decides to leave Chelsea, the Blues will have to enter the market for a new goalkeeper.

Now, let's look at five goalkeepers who could replace Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge:

#5 Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen)

Leno made his Champions Leauge debut against Chelsea at the age of 19.

Though the German is the third choice for his country behind Manuel Neuer and Marc André Ter-Stegen, there no denying that he is a quality player.

At the age of 25, he has already made a big name for himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Bundesliga and it is believed that his best years are yet to come. Leno made his Champions Leauge debut against Chelsea at the age of 19 in the 2011-12 season, where he became the youngest goalkeeper ever to play a UCL match.

Blessed with a tall structure and an impressive reach, agile and a fantastic shot stopper, Leno has consistently shown that he has the qualities needed to be a Champions League title chaser.

Although he recently signed a contract extension which would keep him at Bayern Leverkusen till 2020, last year he revealed that he would be open to the idea of leaving Bundesliga and play abroad. Also, if an offer with right price comes along, Bayer Leverkusen would be willing to sell the former Stuttgart player.

However, Chelsea are likely to face competition from PSG, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Arsenal and Napoli for the German ace.

#4 Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan)

Gigio made his debut for the Rossoneri in 2015.

The AC Milan youngster is one of the most exciting young goalies around and has been often compared to Itlay and Juventus legend, Gianluigi Buffon.

Gigio made his debut for the Rossoneri in 2015, when he was just 16 years old and since then there has been no turning back. He has kept 27 clean sheets in 80 Serie A matches, which is an amazing feat considering how woeful the Milan defence has been in the recent past. According to WhoScored.com, last season, he had a save success rate of 77.2%, which was better than any other goalkeeper in Serie A.

At the young age of 18, Gigio has performed beyond his years and his overall game is complete, efficient, accurate and skilful.

With the Milan project still in its infancy and a Champions League berth still far from reality, the Italian could be tempted for a move. It is also believed that Antonio Conte is a huge admirer of the youngster.

Although Gianluigi has already signed a new contract keeping him at the Italia club until 2021 and a release clause of 75 million euros could make negotiations difficult for Chelsea.

However, if the Blues still managed to sign him, they will be guaranteeing a long-term solution to their goalkeeping problem as Donnarumma is highly reliable and will only get better with age.

#3 Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)

At the age of 24, the Slovenian has plenty of experience of playing in a top league.

The Sun reported in October 2017 that Chelsea would target Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak, the most expensive goalkeeper in La Liga history if they lose were to lose Thibaut Courtois in summer.

At the age of 24, the Slovenian has plenty of experience of playing in a top league. He was an important member of the Atletico Madrid team that reached the 2016 Champions Leauge final. Despite the fact that since his move to Madrid, the team hasn't really won anything but the former Benfica shot-stopper won back to back Zamora trophies to cement his position as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

During the transfer window, he attracted interest from Juventus and Paris- Saint Germain but ended up staying at Atletico Madrid, due to a transfer ban that does not allow the Spanish club to field the players they sign in the transfer window. The Slovenian International has admitted that after the end of the ongoing season, he does not know where he will play his football. Oblak has a release clause of 100 million euros.

#2 Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletico Bilbao)

Kepa has all the attributes required for a modern-day top goalkeeper.

The Athletico Bilbao goalkeeper is out of contract next summer and there will no shortage of suitors for the talented Spanish youngster.

According to reports, Alvaro Morata has already recommended his fellow countryman to Chelsea. Also, Kepa should not have much problem in settling down at the West London Club, due to the presence of the Spanish contingent in the form of Cesc Fabregas, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Alvaro Morate and Pedro. We have already seen how quickly Morata got settled at Chelsea and the same could be the case for Kepa.

He has all the attributes required for a modern-day top goalkeeper. With razor-sharp reflexes, he is very tough to go past in one on one situations and he is also good at stopping long shots. With a release clause of 20 m euros at an age of 23, it should be a bargain if Chelsea or any other club sign him.

However, the Blues will need to make a move quickly for the Spanish international as reports have emerged that Real Madrid are ready to lure him to the Santiago Bernabeu. Also, the goalkeeper has been linked to Paris Saint Germain, Juventus and Arsenal.

#1 Jack Butland (Stoke City)

It should not be very difficult for English Butland to settle at Stamford Bridge.

According to reports, Chelsea are considering Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland as an ideal replacement for Thibault Courtois.

This move actually makes sense as Butland will help Chelsea fulfil their criteria of promoting homegrown players. Butland comes from an English Academy of Birmingham City and Chelsea don't really have a lot of quality English players, except the likes of Gary Cahil and Danny Drinkwater.

Antonio Conte had previously stated that English players must form the core of Chelsea's squad like they had earlier in form of Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashely Cole.

Butland knows the league very well and it should not be very difficult for him to settle at Stamford Bridge. The 24-year-old has a plenty of room for improvement and will definitely prove to be a good signing for Chelsea.

Manchester United have also been linked with the English goalkeeper as they look to replace Madrid bound David De Gea.