Chelsea's chances of keeping Thibaut Courtois are expected to be given a major lift as Real Madrid close in on the signing of Roma keeper Alisson.

Courtois has been on Real Madrid’s wish-list for several years but they have opted to move for the Brazil star instead.

While no agreement has been finalised as yet, it is understood that the two clubs are in talks over a deal worth around £70m.

Roma don’t want to sell one of their prize assets but privately accept that it is too good a deal to turn down for a goalkeeper.

Should the move be completed as expected, Courtois will have few options left if he wanted to force a move.

Paris Saint-Germain, who met with Courtois’ father Thierry earlier this year, are on the verge of acquiring Gianluigi Buffon from Juventus.

The Belgium keeper has spoken openly about his desire to move back to Spain in the future because his two children live in Madrid.

But with Real opting for Alisson and Atletico, where he spent three years on loan between 2011-14, wanting to keep Jan Oblak, that door appears to have closed.

Courtois has already revealed he plans to hold more talks with Chelsea over a new deal after the World Cup.

He has just 12 months left on his deal and told Standard Sport in March that he would be staying at the club next term.

Chelsea will press to extend his contract first though as they will not want to run the risk of him leaving on a free transfer and missing out on a large fee.

They last held talks back in January over increasing his salary from £100,000-a-week to £200,000-a-week, but no discussions have been held since then.

There has been a suggestion in some quarters that Liverpool are keen on Chelsea’s first choice keeper, who has won four major trophies at Stamford Bridge.

However, it is unlikely he will entertain a switch to Anfield or that Chelsea would allow a key player to join a domestic rival.

Resolving the managerial situation will also help Chelsea’s bid to keep Courtois for the long-term.

A contract was agreed in principal with Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri last month, which is believed to be for two years with the option for another 12 months.

Yet Chelsea didn’t trigger the £7m release clause in Napoli’s contract before it expired on May 31, although the hierarchy are still talking to the Serie A club, who have already hired Carlo Ancelotti as his replacement.

Sources in Italy suggest that an agreement is close and that former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola will be his replacement.

Chelsea will still have to sack current coach Antonio Conte though. They have been reluctant so far because the Italian is threatening to take a sabbatical, see out the last year on his contract and therefore pick up £9m in salary.

Courtois spoke about how he wanted the situation to be resolved one way or the other after Chelsea won the FA Cup on May 19.

He said: “I don't think it is a question for the players, it is a question for the board.

"I think we trained very well with him (Conte). Obviously this season has been tough. But I think there has to be a clear line from the club to continue or to stop.

"You can not have him one more year and then not know if he will go away the next year or not. You need some clarity so that everyone knows what way the club is going forward.

"It is what we lacked this season. There were always rumours about everyone and it is not easy then to defend the title, with all the criticism.

"You get questions before and after games and eventually it turns around the group. we felt it inside Cobham where we trained.

“There was a negative spirit sometimes and then it's hard to raise yourselves. We had some great moments, but then we'd lose lose one game and then another one.”