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Chelsea completed their incoming business, barring an exceptional opportunity, on Wednesday with the signings of Kepa Arrizabalaga for £71.6m, a world record fee for a goalkeeper, and Mateo Kovacic on loan for the season. Thibaut Courtois will be unveiled as a £35m Real Madrid player at lunchtime today having flown to Spain to undergo a medical last night.
Unless Manchester United’s stance on Anthony Martial shifts or Lyon drop their asking price for Nabil Fekir − both highly unlikely scenarios − Chelsea will turn their attentions to shifting fringe players out on loan, with up to 15 expected to depart before the end of the month. Today’s exits are likely to include Kurt Zouma, who has interested Everton and, apparently, had been considered by United, while Milan are close to signing Tiemoue Bakayoko and Valencia have targeted Michy Batshuayi.
Done deal we already knew was a done deal news: Chelsea have officially confirmed Mateo Kovacic’s season-long loan. This is what the player had to say about it:
I am really happy and excited to be here at Chelsea. It is an amazing feeling. I will try to do my best for this club. It is a new league for me, the beginning is always tough but I am sure the coach and my new team-mates will help me and I am looking forward to a great season.
Written by Simon Burnton
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/aug/09/transfer-deadline-day-pogba-bernard-maguire-grealish-and-more-live under the title “Transfer deadline day news: Pogba, Bernard, Maguire, Grealish and more – live!”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.