Thibaut Courtois
Courtois will consider a stay in Spain next season, reports suggest. (Reuters)

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will push for a move to Barcelona despite Chelsea's desire to retain his services, Spanish reports suggest.

The Belgian international is enjoying his third consecutive season on loan in La Liga where he is now widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the league.

His stock in Spain remains high after helping Atletico maintain the best defensive record in the league last season to scoop the coveted Zamora award and with Barca's long-serving custodian Victor Valdes ready to leave the Nou Camp when his contract expires next summer, the 21-year-old remains heavily linked with the soon to be vacant role.

Despite having not played a single game for the Blues since he completed his move from Genk in 2011, Courtois remains highly regarded by Chelsea, but the immovable presence of Petr Cech continues to give Barcelona hope of luring the shot stopper away on a permanent basis.

Courtois has previously stated he is ready to fight Cech for the number one spot upon his return to Stamford Bridge, but Spanish publication Sport suggest the Belgian may have had a change of heart and will consider staying in Spain permanently with Barcelona ready to put all of their focus on securing his signature.

With Belgium's place at the 2014 World Cup confirmed should they take one point from their remaining two qualifiers, Courtois will have another opportunity to impress on the grandest stage in Brazil next summer.

While Barcelona have also been linked with Liverpool's loaned out shot stopper Pepe Reina and Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Borussia Monchengladbach, Courtois' glowing reputation as one of the best goalkeepers operating in Spain could place him at the top of the queue.

During his time at the Vicente Calderon, Courtois has guarded the net for the club's most successful period in over a decade, helping the club to Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and Copa Del Rey success during his two seasons in the Spanish capital.

The club have enjoyed a blistering start to the season that sees them still unbeaten in the league, level on points with Barcelona at the top of the division having conceded the joint lowest tally in the league courtesy of Courtois' consistency.