CHELSEA TURN TO KEPA

Bilbao star to join Blues as world’s most expensive goalkeeper at RM337m

ATHLETIC Bilbao said yesterday that Kepa Arrizabalaga has paid his €80 million (RM337 million) buyout clause, paving the way for the Spain international to join Chelsea as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper.

The 23-year-old is expected to replace Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge for a record fee that would surpass the €72.5 million Liverpool paid Roma for Brazilian Alisson last month.

“At 12:02 p.m. (1002 GMT) on Wednesday, August 8, La Liga informed our club that the player, Kepa Arrizabalaga, had met the conditions to unilaterally break his contract that linked him to Athletic Club,” the Spanish side said in a statement.

“The amount of the compensation established in the contract has been deposited.

“Athletic thanks the player for his contribution during the time he has remained in our club.”

In Spain, instead of the buying club paying the selling club the amount set by the contract, the player must buy himself out.

This is done by depositing the amount of the buyout clause with La Liga to release the player. La Liga then pass the money onto the selling club.

Chelsea’s move for Kepa comes with Belgium No 1 Courtois strongly linked with Real Madrid, having yet to report to training with the Premier League club following the World Cup.

Chelsea have since opened disciplinary proceedings against the 26-year-old and are set to fine him two-weeks wages worth around £200,000 (RM1 million).

Kepa has played 53 times in La Liga for Bilbao over the last two seasons, and made his international debut in a 5-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in November 2017.

He was also in the Spain squad for the recent World Cup in Russia as back-up to David De Gea, but did not get any playing time.

Kepa signed a new long-term contract, which increased his release clause from €20 million, with Bilbao in January to end speculation linking him with a move to Real.

The European champions are instead on the verge of completing a reported €35 million deal for Courtois, who was voted the best goalkeeper at the World Cup.

Courtois, who spent three seasons at Atletico Madrid from 2011 to 2014, has repeatedly stated his desire to move closer to his two children in the Spanish capital.

However, Real coach Julen Lopetegui refused to comment on the speculation following his team’s 2-1 victory over Roma in the final game of their US preseason tour on Tuesday.

“I always say that I’m not talking about players who’re not at Real Madrid,” said Lopetegui. “Keylor (Navas) is our goalkeeper and there are no other goalkeepers I can talk about except Keylor, Kiko (Casilla), Andriy (Lunin) and Luca (Zidane).

“Keylor is phenomenal, he has our full confidence and is an extraordinary goalkeeper. He’s delighted to belong to Real Madrid and we’re delighted with him.”

As part of the deal, the Blues could also receive Real’s wantaway midfielder Mateo Kovacic on loan for the season.