Chelsea to open contract talks with Stamford Bridge key man amid exit rumours

Chelsea will open contract talks with Thibaut Courtois in January

The Spanish giants are said to be interested in the Belgium international after the keeper re-found his form with the Blues.

Courtois has kept 10 clean sheets in Chelsea's 12-game winning run in recent weeks to fire his side to the summit of the Premier League.

And The Telegraph claim Real Madrid fear Chelsea will offer the 24-year-old a bumper new contract which will kill their hopes of landing the stopper.

Courtois is open to extending his time at Stamford Bridge and is happy under Antonio Conte.

He currently earns £100,000-a-week and Real fear their summer target will be offered in excess of £150,000-a-week to stay in west London.

Chelsea slapped a £73m price tag on Courtois when the Spanish giants enquired about him in 2015.

And the Telegraph add that Conte would demand even more for their star man should they come calling again.

Courtois and the Blues will be hoping to maintain their lead at the top of the league on New Year's Eve when they host Stoke.