KEPA SET TO REPLACE COURTOIS AT CHELSEA

MADRID: Athletic Bilbao said Kepa Arrizabalaga has paid his €80mil (RM377mil) buyout clause, paving the way for the Spain international to join Chelsea as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper.

“At 12.02 pm yesterday, La Liga informed our club that the player Kepa Arrizabalaga had filled the conditions to unilaterally break his contract tying him to Athletic Club,” the Spanish club said in a statement.

The 23-year-old is expected to replace Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge for a fee that would surpass the €72.5mil (RM342mil) Liverpool paid Roma for Brazilian Alisson last month.

Belgium number one Courtois has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid and has not returned to Chelsea training following the World Cup.

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 see any playing time.

Meanwhile, Spanish media have also claimed that Chelsea could be set to bring in midfielder Mateo Kovacic on loan from Real Madrid after his efforts in helping Croatia reach the World Cup final.

Manager Sarri’s first serious test on the pitch since taking over from Antonio Conte will be a season-opening trip to Huddersfield in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 59-year-old Italian started his reign with a 2-0 loss to reigning English champions Manchester City last weekend in the Community Shield.

Chelsea are hoping to recover after a disappointing Premier League title defence last season saw them finish fifth and fail to qualify for the Champions League. — AFP