Real Madrid set for Kepa capture

Spanish giants Real Madrid are set to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as they seek a replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois before the end of the summer transfer window.

Courtois is expected to miss the entire 2023/24 season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season training, and Los Blancos have sought a replacement for their number one, with a number of interesting options lined up as possible stand-ins for the Belgian.

Real Madrid were linked with former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, as well as Sevilla’s Moroccan number one, Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou, but they have now settled on Chelsea’s Kepa after reportedly agreeing to a deal with the Blues for the Spaniard.

Kepa will reportedly join Real Madrid on a one-season loan until next summer as cover for Courtois to become Los Blancos’ first choice after having his own number-one spot at Chelsea threatened by the signing of Robert Sanchez.

Despite new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino saying that Kepa had not been outrightly deposed as number one by Sanchez, but would need to fight for the spot with his compatriot, Kepa has been keen to find a way out of Stamford Bridge in the last few days.

Kepa had held talks with Bayern Munich, who are also in the market for a goalkeeper, in recent days but abandoned the opportunity to join Harry Kane in Bavaria when the opportunity to move back home to Spain presented itself.

The 28-year-old will now join the Real Madrid squad in the coming days, after completing a medical in Madrid.