Spanish giants Real Madrid have acted quickly to source a credible replacement for star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after reaching a verbal agreement with Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The 28-year-old Spanish international will return to La Liga on a temporary basis after immediate needs in Madrid have been met via a loan for the former Athletic Club standout.
Per Fabrizio Romano, both Real Madrid and the player have all agreed to a loan move to the Santiago Bernabeu for the duration of the 2023-24 campaign, with no obligation or potentially permanent move on the cards.
Kepa to Real Madrid, here we go! Loan deal verbally agreed between Real and Chelsea, no obligation/permanent move for Spanish GK 🚨⚪️ #RealMadrid
Kepa immediately said yes to Real after talks with Bayern over the last 3/4 days.
He already said goodbye, ready to travel. pic.twitter.com/i6y7mk8nma
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2023
German giants Bayern Munich were also in the running for the player due to continued concerns surrounding the immediate future of Manuel Neuer in the wake of his own injury suffered halfway through the 2022-23 Bundesliga campaign, but Madrid have ultimately come away with Kepa after the devastating news that Courtois is set to miss the entirety of the 2023-24 season after a serious ACL injury.
Kepa, who had rehabilitated his chances at Chelsea last season, is now once again viewed as second-fiddle to the incoming Roberto Sánchez after the Blues secured the Spaniard’s services from high-flying Brighton, but will no doubt view this move as an unquestionable upgrade and a chance to once again rebuild his profile while playing in the Champions League.
📰 Table Of Contents
