Atletico wants to avoid Chelsea in Champs League

Associated Press
Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, right, dives for a save in front of Barcelona's Neymar during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona in the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Paul White)

MADRID (AP) — Atletico Madrid is hoping to avoid Chelsea in Friday's Champions League draw so that on-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois can play in the semifinals.

Courtois is in his third season on-loan from Chelsea to the Spanish league leader and Atletico president Enrique Cerezo says it would have to pay a hefty fee to field the Belgium goalkeeper against the club that owns his registration.

Spanish reports put the figure at a minimum of 6 million euros ($8.3 million).

"It's a number we can't afford to pay," Cerezo said after Atletico beat Barcelona 1-0 for a 2-1 aggregate victory in the quarterfinals.

Courtois was allowed to play when Atletico beat Chelsea 3-0 in the European Super Cup in 2012.

Defending champion Bayern Munich and crosstown rival Real Madrid are the semifinalists.