Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan for the 23/24 season. The Spaniard has accepted the move, and will be the replacement for Thibaut Courtois following his ACL injury.
The Belgian will be out for the entirety of the season after injuring his knee in training which is a massive blow to Los Blancos. And even though they had the option to sign David De Gea as a free agent, they have opted to sign Kepa on a loan with no option to buy.
Real Madrid to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan as Courtois replacement
The Spaniard was expected to be Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice at Chelsea this season, even though Robert Sanchez was signed from Brighton. But, Chelsea will now look into the transfer market to sign a replacement for the most expensive goalkeeper of all-time.
There was interest from Bayern Munich for a transfer for Kepa as well. The Bavarians wanted a loan move for the player as well as the replacement for Yann Sommer, who made the move to Inter.
Manuel Neuer is still out injured and the presence of Kepa Arrizabalaga would have helped them have a first-choice option. But, as confirmed by Bayern officials, the former Athletic Club goalkeeper has chosen to return to his home country and join Real Madrid.
Kepa was on the verge of joining Madrid before joining Chelsea as well. But, Zinedine Zidane blocked a transfer for the goalkeeper at the time. Now, he will be playing for Los Blancos once the transfer is completed in the coming days.
