“Welcome to Chelsea” – Blues agrees $91m deal – Star Arrive Cobham Training Centre for Medicals

According to reports, Premier League club Chelsea F.C have agreed to pay a world record £71.6 million ($91,320,058.00) to replace Thibaut Courtois with Athletic Bilbao’s goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

With Belgium international goalkeeper trying to force a move to Real Madrid this last day of the window, the Blues have taken a huge step by paying Kepa’s Athletic Bilbao buy-out clause ahead of Thursday’s Premier League transfer deadline.

Kepa’s deal to Chelsea, which has been taken by widespread astonishment, will also surpass the Blues’ record deal when they signed Alvaro Morata at £57m from Real Madrid last summer.

The path of Courtois to Real is set to be further smoothed by the Liga club’s willingness to send midfielder Mateo Kovacic on a season-long loan to Chelsea.

Also along with the goalkeeper, Real Madrid’s and Croatian international Kovacic is expected to in London to complete a pre-deadline move to Chelsea in what will the Blues’ final activity of the transfer window.

Spanish news outlet claim 23-year-old Kepa will fly to England at around 10am on Wednesday morning, having travelled to Madrid on Tuesday in preparation for his switch.

Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri would not be drawn on the future of Courtois and would only go as far as confirming he rates Kepa highly after watching his team win their final friendly of pre-season on penalties against Lyon.

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