Reports suggest that Chelsea might look to trigger the release clause of €80 million (£71m/$92m) of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as their current goalie Thibaut Courtois is looking to move to Real Madrid.
Football news: The Blues look for substitute as Courtois aims to force move to Real Madrid
Athletic Bilbao had made it very clear that they are not going to accept any bid for their goalkeeper so the only way to secure Kepa is to meet his release price tag.
It is believed that Chelsea has agreed to go on with the deal which will make Kepa their highest purchase since their purchase of Alvaro Morata for £58m ($75m) deal from Real Madrid which has now potentially risen to £70m ($90m).
If the deal for Kepa is finalised, it will also make him the world’s expensive goalkeeper, just less than a month after Liverpool’s Alisson secured the title by initiating a deal of £65m (€73m/$85m) from Roma to Liverpool.
Reports have suggested that Kepa’s representatives are in talks with the management of Chelsea regarding the personal terms.
However on the other hand, Courtois has failed to turn up for the training after the World Cup for the first two days as his scheduled medical test for the new season was on Monday.
Real Madrid is keen to sign Courtois for €35m deal (£31m/$40m), which means Chelsea will have to arrange the extra funds to secure the signing of Kepa.
Los Blancos have currently not made any offer as they are presumably waiting for the Blues to find a replacement for their No. 1 position.