Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has conceded that losing Chelsea goalkeeping target Jan Oblak would be a huge blow for the club.
Thibaut Courtois is pushing to leave Chelsea this summer and has not turned up for training with the club in order to force his way out to join Real Madrid in the coming days.
Chelsea are prepared to sell the Belgian, who has a year left on his contract, but are unwilling to sanction the move as long as they have not brought in a replacement for the goalkeeper.
They are rumoured to be interested in Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga and are believed to be also prepared to trigger the €100m release clause in Oblak’s contract with Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish giants would be able to do little if Chelsea activate the buy-out clause and Niguez admits it would be a huge blow if the club lose their number one goalkeeper.
The Spaniard believes Oblak is the best goalkeeper in the world and is only going to further develop in the coming years.
Niguez told AS when asked about a possible transfer for Oblak: “For me, almost, it would be the worst [outcome for the club].
“We have the best goalkeeper in the world. He has been winning the Zamora in the league over the last three years.
“Every day he is improving and he surprises me.
“He is young and has many years left in football ahead of him and best thing is, he is still developing.”
The Slovenia international has kept 68 clean sheets and conceded just 67 goals in 116 La Liga appearances.
