Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has said that he would be happy to part with over £26m if offered the chance to buy Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois.

Former Argentina international Simeone, who has guided Atletico to joint top of La Liga this season, told Spanish TV station ‘Deportes Cuatro‘ that he would be prepared to go to great lengths in order to sign the keeper permanently.

Asked if he would pay nearly £30m, Simeone replied,

“Definitely. For me, any price for Courtois would be cheap. He is a young guy who has a huge future ahead of him and is on course to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”

Courtois has been on loan from Chelsea at the Vicente Calderón since 2011, and has blossomed into one of the world’s best goalkeepers.

The Belgian has been the subject of an intense tug-of-war between Chelsea and Atletico these last few months, after the 21-year-old expressed his wish to sort out his long term future this year, with Barcelona also reportedly showing an interest.

Petr Cech remains firmly the Chelsea number one in the eyes of Blues boss Jose Mourinho, with Courtois currently stuck perennially in limbo between the West London side and Atletico.

When asked about his future by Spanish radio ‘Cadena Cope’ earlier this month, he said: ‘It’s not something that can wait too long to sort out. We don’t want to be making a decision in May.”

‘I have to take the decision with Chelsea as soon as possible, in March at the latest.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United are looking to rekindle their interest in Juventus’ Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal.

United boss David Moyes is intent on bringing in reinforcements this month, and according to ESPN, the club are hopeful of completing at least one high profile signing before the window slams shut.

Vidal, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford already this month, is seen as a potentially key signing by Moyes.

Read More – How Nani could help Man Utd sign Juventus’ Arturo Vidal

The Scot is said to be willing to offer the 26-year-old a significant pay rise in order to lure the midfielder to Manchester.

United are currently embroiled in the ongoing Juan Mata saga, with a host of British tabloids claiming a deal can be stuck between them and Chelsea for the £40m rated Spaniard before the end of the month.

Read More – Juan Mata edging closer to Man Utd move

Who would you prefer United to sign Mata or Vidal Should Chelsea sell Courtois Let me know in the comments below…