Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for a world record fee for a goalkeeper of £71m.
The 23-year-old would be brought in as a replacement for unsettled Thibaut Courtois.The deal would surpass the fee, believed to be up to £66.8m, that Liverpool paid for Alisson in July.Belgium international Courtois, 26, has yet to return to training and is linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Asked about Kepa after Chelsea’s pre-season win over Lyon on penalties on Tuesday, Blues boss Maurizio Sarri said: “I saw him one year ago. My first impression was that he is a very good goalkeeper, very young, but very, very good.”Should the deal for Kepa go through, it would be a club record purchase for the London club, surpassing the £58m they paid Real for Spanish striker Alvaro Morata last summer.
Kepa is Spain’s number two behind Manchester United’s David de Gea and has one international cap.He has spent the past two seasons in Bilbao’s first team, making 53 La Liga appearances.
Thibaut Courtois says he is relaxed regarding his potential transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid.The Belgium international has been consistently linked with a move to the Spanish champions, who appear determined to finally strengthen their goalkeeping position.
Courtois’ agent has called on Chelsea to allow his client to move to Real, with the stopper keen to return to Spain, where he previously played for Atletico Madrid.
“I have been reading everywhere that Chelsea are saying it is up to Thibaut, but he has made it clear to the club that the best option for him is to move to Madrid,” Christophe Henrotay said, according to The Sun.
“For him this is a big decision because he wants to be near his family, and there is an offer in place for Chelsea to accept.”
I cannot say much, I am not thinking about that, I am calm and becoming anxious would not help. What is important is to be ready for next season.”
Courtois has spent seven years at Chelsea, though he also spent three on loan at Atletico.
The 25-year-old has made over 150 appearances for Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup. He has also won La Liga with Atleti, along with the Europa League, Copa del Rey and the UEFA Super Cup. He was also a part of Atletico’s 2013-14 team, which reached the Champions League final, only to lose to Real.