Genk have officially accepted an improved Chelsea bid for Thibaut Courtois and cleared the way for him to become Andre Villas-Boas' first signing as Stamford Bridge manager in the next 24 hours.
Agent Thierry Courtois was summoned to a meeting with club bosses on Wednesday night and told his son was free to complete his dream move after agreement had been reached on a fee of around ?5million.
Courtois snr will discuss Chelsea's personal terms with the 19-year old Genk keeper on Thursday, in what is being viewed by sources close to the deal as a formality.
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After earning only around ?80,000 a year with the Belgian champions, Courtois jnr was always assured of a bumper pay rise at Stamford Bridge and seems certain to be confirmed imminently as a Chelsea player.
Though he is viewed by Chelsea bosses as a future first-team keeper, he will be allowed to spend next season at Genk on a season-long loan.
Sportsmail revealed a fortnight ago how Courtois feared he may have jeopardised his big chance after going public over Chelsea's interest and claiming they saw him as 'the new Petr Cech'.
He was reprimanded by his father for speaking out of turn, but Chelsea carried on regardless after Villas-Boas approved the idea of drafting him in as a potential long-term successor to Cech.
After failing with an initial ?3m bid, they contacted Genk with an increased offer that has now been rubbestamped.
Courtois played a key role in Genk's title success last season, but the club's attempts to tie him to a new improved long-term deal were dashed by Chelsea's overtures.
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail