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With Chelsea set to sign a new goalkeeper before the transfer window closes on Thursday, the Blues have now triggered the release clause of Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, worth £72m.
The young Basque shot-stopper will become Chelsea’s record signing and the most expensive goalkeeper ever, eclipsing the previous world record of £65m paid by Liverpool for Alisson just a few weeks ago.
Chelsea are now pushing for this deal to happen after Thibaut Courtois refused to turn up for training.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, lawyers representing Kepa’s agency, Bahia Internacional, turned up at the offices of La Liga in Madrid and officially paid his termination clause at 8.22am BST.
Having flown into Madrid on Tuesday evening, Kepa is now jetting in to London to undergo a medical and sign his new contract with Chelsea.
The deal is expected to be confirmed and announced today or before transfer deadline day on Thursday, and Bilbao have officially confirmed that his release clause has been met.