Thibaut Courtois has reportedly failed to show up for Chelsea training despite being scheduled to return to their Cobham base on Monday, as he tries to force through a move to Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper has been heavily linked with a move to Real over the summer, and is 2/7 to join the European champions on the back of this latest development.
Courtois was handed an extended break after finishing third at the World Cup with Belgium but was due to report for training for the first time on Monday.
However, it is believed Courtois failed to show up amid reports he has already told new Blues boss Maurizio Sarri he is keen to leave Stamford Bridge before Thursday's transfer deadline.
Courtois' agent had previously said that the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper wanted to return to the Spanish capital to be nearer to his two children.
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Sarri said after Sunday's Community Shield defeat to Manchester City that he wanted to hear it from Courtois himself that he wwanted to leve the club.
"I have no reaction on the agent," said Sarri. "I am not interested in the agent, I want to hear Courtois. If Courtois tomorrow (Monday) tells me the same, I have to speak with the club.
"I want only players with a high level of motivation. I don't have an answer for the agent."
New has also broken that Chelsea have lined up Jack Butland as a replacement for Courtois, signalling that the club expect the Belgian will be leaving before Thursday's transfer deadline day.
Butland is even money to make the move from Stoke to Stamford Bridge in Sky Bet's summer transfer window specials.
It could be an eventful time for Sarri in the next week, with Eden Hazard still being linked with Real Madrid while the Blues have been installed as the new favourites to sign Nabil Fekir from Lyon.