Chelsea put a whopping £73million price-tag on No 1 Thibaut Courtois to scare off a potential bid by Real Madrid, according to reports.
Courtois was apparently Real Madrid's top target to replace Iker Casillas but the mammoth fee, reported by the Daily Telegraph, meant the club turned their attention to David De Gea.
A move for the Manchester United man is imminent and could happen as soon as next week.
The report states that the Spanish club were prepared to pay as much as £37m for the big Belgian, who had an impressive first season at Stamford Bridge following a loan loan spell in La Liga with Atletico Madrid.
However, when they asked a price, they were told it would be double that.
Despite Chelsea never worrying about losing the 23-year-old, it weakens their position in contract talks.
Courtois only signed a new £80,000-a-week, five-year deal in September, but the goalkeeper's representatives could, in theory, go back to the club knowing that a bigger and better offer could be had elsewhere.
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