As more international competitions have developed in European soccer, there has come to more and more circumstances of players on loan in other leagues matched up against their home team. A recent example of this is the upcoming Champion’s League semi-final paring Chelsea against Athletico Madrid. Madrid’s star goalkeeper, Belgian Thibaut Courtois, is currently on loan again from the Blues, with much discussion of it becoming a permanent move. However, as these two sides are forced to compete, there has been much speculation who will play. Part of the agreement sending the Belgian to La Liga was that every time the Spanish side plays Chelsea, the team must pay 3 million pounds if they wish to play him, meaning it would cost 6 million for the combined two matches. Also, if they do play Courtois, that could also anger the Blues’ management, and decline a possible summer transfer. As more players become put on loan, there arises the question what teams should do in this awkward situation.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2024346-it-would-cost-atletico-millions-to-play-thibaut-courtois-against-chelsea