Courtois misses Chelsea training for the second day running

The Belgian was due to return from his extended break following the World Cup on Monday to sit down and discuss his future with manager Maurizio Sarri, but he didn't show, fuelling reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

Courtois' agent said last week that he was hoping to secure his client a summer move to the Spanish capital in order to allow him to be closer to his children, comments which went down poorly with Sarri.

"I want only players with a high level of motivation. I don't have an answer for the agent," the Italian raged following Sunday's Community Shield loss to Manchester City.

Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante, Olivier Giroud, Gary Cahill and Michy Batshuayi did all return to training on Monday as planned.

Chelsea are believed to have made Stoke's Jack Butland their top target to replace Courtois if the Belgian succeeds in securing a move away before the transfer deadline.