Is Thibaut Courtois about to leave Chelsea?

It was only last week that Eden Hazard was being talked of in relation to a possible transfer window departure from the club.

Now his club and international teammate goalkeeper has been quoted in the Spanish press as being homesick for what was, for three years, his adopted country.

In a game obsessed by money, there was something quite refreshing about Courtois stating family ties as the main reason for his desire to return to Iberia. Though, having said that, an upshot of the whole situation is likely to be an increased payday for the ex-Atletico man.

The 25-year-old has a year and a half left on his present deal, and this coming summer is therefore effectively the time when any move will have to happen. Should he go it will be the final opportunity, in this contract, for Chelsea to wring any cash value out of a player they have nurtured for seven years. Failing that, it is the moment where Chelsea really need to get him signed to a new deal, lest he walk out as a free agent 12 months hence.

But the main obstacle to Courtois in his intended shift to Spain may lie in finding an actual job once he gets there.

Atletico, where he seems to have been so comfortable while on loan, simply cannot afford the keeper's wages. Real, meanwhile, have interests elsewhere: with a long term focus on Manchester United's David De Gea, supplemented by back-up possibilities Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan), and Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletico Bilbao). And Barcelona are fairly comfortable with their German stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who signed a five year deal back in May, with a €180m buy-out clause.

The fact that the Spanish big two have their sights fixed elsewhere does point towards a slight flattening in the upward trajectory of Courtois' development. While at Atletico he was projected to become one of the world's top keepers: and, while clearly one of the best in the Premier League, questions have to be raised about whether his performances at Chelsea have delivered on that promise.

There are, of course, other possible European destinations.

The big money move would be to Paris Saint-Germain: though the French club are strongly linked with Atletico's Jan Oblak. And Juventus also have a vacancy in the making: with the retirement of the great Gianluigi Buffon at the end of the season.

But sources close to Courtois insist there is little point aiming for Spain, and hitting France or Italy: as the commute is little different to the one he presently frequently makes from London.

All of which points to another possibility: the one which is, in reality, the most likely end to the vast majority of transfer rumours.

A new deal would not bring his young family any closer to home; but it would probably make all those hours spent in the departures lounge a bit more financially worthwhile. That would also suit Chelsea, who are short on targets should the Belgian move to pastures new. At 25, Courtois' career still has a very long way to go: he could easily remain a top-level player for another decade, or more.

These links with Spain will never go away, of course. But, for now at least, his future looks most likely based in London, with an increased contract on the way.