Athletic Bilbao 'keeper Arrizabalaga set for record deal

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Kepa Arrizabalaga's 80million euros (£71million) buyout clause has been met, Athletic Bilbao have announced, as the goalkeeper appears on the verge of a world record move to Chelsea. The Basque club confirmed the release clause has been activated and his contract terminated, although there is no mention of Chelsea.

Bigger than Becker
The fee is a world record for a goalkeeper, surpassing the £65m paid by Liverpool to Roma for Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker last month.The Blues have reportedly made Kepa their No. 1 target to replace wantaway Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. A statement on Athletic's official website read: "On Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 1202 hours (CET), the Professional Football League confirmed to us that the player, Kepa Arrizabalaga, has met the requirements for the valid unilateral termination of the work contract that linked him to Athletic Club. The amount of the compensation established in the contract has been deposited."

Sarri silent
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri refused to shed light on the future of wantaway goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. "I don't know in this moment," Sarri told a press conference after Chelsea's 5-4 win on penalties at Stamford Bridge, when asked of Courtois' future. "I want to speak with my club and then we will decide about it. I am here to talk about this match."

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