Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has revealed he is close to signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge after beginning the season as Jose Mourinho's No. 1 ahead of Petr Cech.
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Courtois, 22, is under contract with Chelsea until 2016, and has reportedly held off on signing a new, improved deal with the Blues until he could gain assurances that he would be the club's first-choice keeper.
That now appears to be the case, with the Belgian having played all three of Chelsea's Premier League games so far in this campaign.
Two weeks ago ESPN FC sources revealed that Chelsea wanted to finalise a new contract "as soon as possible.".
Cech has had to settle for a regular place on the bench for the first time since he joined the club in 2004, and coach Mourinho has admitted that he will struggle to keep both of his keepers happy this season.
Courtois told Sky Sports while away with his national team that he hopes to put pen to paper on a new deal upon his return to London.
"It's not yet signed," he said. "I am here with the national team so it is difficult, but when I am back at Chelsea I will probably sign the new contract."
Regarding his rivalry with Cech for the No. 1 jersey, Courtois added: "We don't talk about the situation, but of course I know he has played 10 years at Chelsea and that now I am playing and for him it's not the nicest situation. But that is the decision of the board and the trainer.
"He is working hard in training to be ready when I cannot play or I am maybe not playing well. We work well together.
"Of course as a professional and a winner you always want to play every game, so we will see what the decision is of the coach."
After signing from Genk in 2011, Courtois spent three seasons out on loan at Atletico Madrid -- a spell which culminated last term in the Rojiblancos winning the Spanish league title and reaching the Champions League final.
Courtois' Chelsea career has got off to a 100 percent start, with the Blues winning all three of their games to date, although he has conceded four goals in that time, including three in the 6-3 win at Goodison Park last weekend.