• World record for keeper eclipses Liverpool’s £67m for Alisson
• Chelsea also secure Mateo Kovacic on loan from Real Madrid
Chelsea will pay a world record fee for a goalkeeper to secure Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao as a replacement for Thibaut Courtois, who failed to report for training for a second day in succession and is expected to sign for Real Madrid.
Kepa, Spain’s second choice and considered one of the most promising keepers in Europe having impressed for his country through the junior age groups, has a release clause set at €80m (£71.6m). Bilbao expect to lose the 23-year-old, who has travelled to Madrid with his agent ahead of a flight to London around 10am on Wednesday, having come close to selling him to Real for only £17.9m in January.
Written by Dominic Fifield
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/07/chelsea-kepa-arrizabalaga-athletic-bilbao-record under the title “Chelsea to pay £71.6m for Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
