Brazilian international Willian has failed to return to Chelsea for pre-season with rumours of a move to Real Madrid continuing to swirl.
Per the Times, the 29-year-old has contacted the club and claimed the delay is due to an issue with his passport. However, the club are reported to be skeptical given the situation which unfolded last season when Atletico Madrid-bound Diego Costa also failed to return.
Several outlets in the UK have suggested Real Madrid are currently interested in a £65 million deal for Willian while also pursuing Thibaut Courtois. Florentino Pérez's interest in a new goalkeeper is no secret after high profile mistakes by Keylor Navas against Juventus and Bayern Munich last season. Courtois was another impressive performer during the World Cup and has just a year left on his current deal.
The Willian bombshell comes despite Marca reporting that Real Madrid are not interested in a deal. However, the club are yet to sign a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo and the English transfer window closes in just nine days.
