Chelsea Close In On Signing Athletic Bilbao Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga For £71.6 Million

Whilst Chelsea's await Thibaut Courtois' return to the club, they are close to replacing him with Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga whom they have agreed to sign to the club for £71.6 million. 

There has been an uncertainty over the Belgian's interest to return to Stanford Bridge since he is been linked to a move to Real Madrid with which he is already in advance talks with, and are reportedly prepared to land him in Bernabeu by doing a swap-deal with midfielder Matteo Kovacic on a long loan to Chelsea 

In effect, Chelsea have reportedly agreed with Bilbao for a break-the-bank offer of £71.6 for Kepa which on completion will upset record set for most expensive transfer for a goalkeeper of £66.8 million paid by Liverpool to Allison Becker. 

Speaking of the new intro to Chelsea, manager Maurizio Sarri says, "I saw him one year ago and my first impression was he was a very good goalkeeper. Very young, but very, very good." 

The Spaniard, 23, reportedly will be flown to London for his medical on Wednesday in other for Chelsea to meet up with Premier League deadline for summer window transfer which closes on Thursday.