Kepa Arrizabalaga was expected in London last night to have a medical with Chelsea that will seal his world record transfer from Athletic Bilbao after the goalkeeper’s £71.6mn buyout clause was triggered earlier in the morning.
The 23-year-old’s lawyers were in Madrid yesterday morning and, as per Spanish law and having been provided with the funds by Chelsea, deposited the amount needed to secure his release at 9.22am local time. Athletic confirmed the player, who has been on their books since the age of 10, was set to leave.
“Kepa Arrizabalaga has met the requirements for the valid unilateral termination of the work contract that linked him to Athletic Club,” read a statement on Bilbao’s website. “The amount of the compensation established in the contract has been deposited. Athletic thanks the player for his contribution during the time he has remained in our club.”
In Spain, instead of the buying club paying the selling club the amount set by the contract, the player must buy himself out. This is done by depositing the amount of the buyout clause with La Liga to release the player. La Liga then pass the money onto the selling club.
The fee for Kepa, capped once by Spain but a regular through the country’s junior sides and considered one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe, will surpass the £66.9mn Liverpool paid Roma for Brazil’s No 1, Alisson Becker last month.
Kepa has played 53 times in La Liga for Bilbao over the last two seasons, and made his international debut in a 5-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in November 2017. He was also in the Spain squad for the recent World Cup in Russia as back-up to David De Gea, but did not get any playing time.
Kepa signed a new long-term contract, which increased his release clause from 20 million euros, with Athletic in January to end speculation linking him with a move to Real. 
“I saw Kepa one year ago (when I was) at Naples and my first impression was he was a very good goalkeeper,” said Maurizio Sarri after Chelsea’s goalless draw with Lyon on Tuesday. “Very young but very, very good.”
Kepa will be joined at Stamford Bridge by the Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who is expected to complete a one-year loan move as he seeks greater game-time. That could conclude Chelsea’s incoming transfer business in this window, though other players could yet depart.
There is interest from Milan in Tiemoue Bakayoko, while Danny Drinkwater and Tammy Abraham have attracted inquiries from Premier League clubs seeking to bolster their ranks with loanees before today’s 5pm deadline.
Thibaut Courtois is expected to travel from Belgium to Spain to complete his £35mn move to Real, signing a six-year contract, having been absent without leave all week. The Belgian international has entered the final 12 months of his deal at Chelsea.
Courtois, who spent three seasons at Atletico Madrid from 2011 to 2014, has repeatedly stated his desire to move closer to his two children in the Spanish capital. However, Real coach Julen Lopetegui refused to comment on the speculation following his team’s 2-1 victory over Roma in the final game of their US pre-season tour on Tuesday.
“I always say that I’m not talking about players who’re not at Real Madrid,” said Lopetegui. “Keylor (Navas) is our goalkeeper and there are no other goalkeepers I can talk about except Keylor, Kiko (Casilla), Andriy (Lunin) and Luca (Zidane). Keylor is phenomenal, he has our full confidence and is an extraordinary goalkeeper. He’s delighted to belong to Real Madrid and we’re delighted with him.”