Belgium shot stopper Thibaut Courtois has fuelled reports linking him with a move to European champions after his failure to return to Chelsea training on Monday.

The Blues goalkeeper had been expected to return to training on Monday after his exertions at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia but he was nowhere to be found.

Chelsea don’t know whether the 26-year-old will return to training.

Thibaut Courtois joined Chelsea from Belgian side Genk and was loaned out to Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid for two seasons.

Since his return to Stamford Bridge, Courtois has kept 58 clean sheets in 154 appearances, conceding 152 goals.

He was hugely influential for Belgium as he helped to third place at the World Cup and was rewarded with the Golden Glove award, which is for the tournament’s best goalkeeper.

Club and country teammate Eden Hazard has also been linked with Real Madrid but he returned to training on Monday.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City, which his side lost 2-0, Chelsea manager Sarri said he was unsure whether Courtois would still be at the club when the transfer window shuts.

In his words, the former Napoli manager said: “At the moment Courtois is the goalkeeper of Chelsea. I don’t know in the future. It depends on the club, it depends especially on him, but I hope Courtois will be our goalkeeper.”