Chelsea sign Kepa in world record deal, Courtois completes Real move
LONDON: Spain’s Kepa Arrizabalaga became the most expensive goalkeeper in history on Wednesday after Chelsea confirmed his €80 million move from Athletic Bilbao. Kepa’s arrival at Stamford Bridge came shortly after Chelsea had agreed to sell Belgian international ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid for a reported fee of €35 million.
The 23-year-old has signed a seven-year contract with the English giants.
Chelsea were forced to look for a replacement for Courtois ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline for Premier League clubs after he failed to report back to training following his fine World Cup performances on Monday.
Courtois had just one year left on his contract and made clear his desire to return to Madrid, where he spent three seasons on loan with Atletico, to be closer to his two children.
CHELSEA CONFIRM KOVACIC LOAN DEAL
LONDON: Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic has joined Chelsea on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday. Kovacic’s arrival is part of the deal which saw Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois join Real on Wednesday.
NAVAS TO STAY AT REAL DESPITE COMPETITION
NEW JERSEY: Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas says the signing of Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois has not affected his desire to remain at club.
“Tell everyone loud and clear, I have as much enthusiasm for leaving Madrid as I do for dying,” Navas said on Wednesday.
EVERTON SIGN MINA, GOMES, BERNARD
LONDON: Everton completed the signings of Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes from Barcelona and Brazilian free-agent winger Bernard on Thursday in a triple deadline-day swoop for the Premier League club.
Mina will move to Goodison Park in a €30.25 million euro deal plus 1.5 million more in add ons. Portuguese midfielder Gomes will join on a season-long loan at a cost of €2.25 million for the English club. Bernard, a 25-yearold capped 14 times by Brazil, was a free agent.
POCHETTINO HAPPY DESPITE NO SIGNINGS
LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham’s lack of activity in the transfer window isn’t a problem because it was just as important to hold onto the club’s key players. “We didn’t sell players and with 25 players in the squad it is difficult to add players,” Pochettino said. RESULTS
Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Yash Fadte 11-2 11-7 11-2; Abhishek Pradhan bt Gaurav Nandrajog 16-14 9-11 11-3 11-5.
CHALLENGERS FC WIN
Challengers FC scored a late winner to beat Vibrants FC 2-1 in Group A league match of the third Borivali Premier Football League (BPFL), at Borivali. RESULT
Group A: Challengers FC 2 (Ankit Pal) beat Vibrants FC 1 (Avesh Shaikh).