Report: Chelsea agree world record €80m fee for Kepa Arrizabalaga

Reports indicate that Chelsea have agreed a world record €80 million fee for Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, paving the way for Thibaut Courtois to leave for Real Madrid.

One of the main storylines of this summer’s transfer window was would happen with the future of  Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and what Chelsea would do at the goalkeeper position.

Report after report has surfaced over Courtois’ exit, with stories going as far to say that a fee had been agreed between Chelsea and Real Madrid for the Belgian.

Now, as the start of Premier League play approaches the footballing world as reportedly received clarification on the future of the goalkeeper position at Chelsea.

According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, Chelsea have agreed to meet Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga’s buyout clause, which would make the Basque shot stopper a world record signing at €80 million.

Bilbao are notorious non-negotiators, only selling their players for the fees of their release clauses or for the demanded club fee. This is evident in the sales of now Premier League talents Aymeric Laporte and Ander Herrera.

The move comes as huge news to the footballing world as Liverpool have only just recently made Brazilian Allison the most expensive keeper ever, notably beating Chelsea to his signature.

Seen as a panic purchase by some, Chelsea have addressed a position of need and have now paved the way for Golden Glove winner Thibaut Courtois to finally make his dream move to Real Madrid.

Is this good business?

In some ways, one might say it is not, but in reality, the pros outweigh the cons of this deal.

Is paying a world record fee for a goalkeeper that has only been getting consistent first team action and starts for two seasons ideal? Not necessarily. Especially when you consider Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Liverpool beating the Blues to a perhaps more tested Allison.

Yet, we must consider that Arrizabalaga has shown in his two seasons with Athletic Bilbao’s first team to be a class goalkeeper, one that notoriously was heavily sought after just this past January by Real Madrid before Los Blancos turned their attention towards Thibaut Courtois.

Additionally, Chelsea now reportedly rid themselves of the pain in the side that would have been Thibaut Courtois should he have had to play in London this season. Chelsea will now reportedly receive a cash fee and midfielder Mateo Kovacic on loan as part of a deal to send Courtois to Real.

Arrizabalaga is only 23 years of age, composed, long and athletic. A perfect type of keeper for the type of football new manager Maurizio Sarri will want to play.

As displayed by Manchester City’s Ederson, whose previous world record fee now looks like a bargain, a keeper that can be composed under pressure and deliver smart passes is a huge advantage to have in the Premier League.

Should the deal go through, it will cap off a chaotic but all around excellent transfer window for Chelsea. One that will set themselves up to make a run to qualify for Champions League football.