Chelsea set to sign Real Madrid star in exchange for Courtois

With Thibaut Courtois joining Real Madrid, Chelsea signed 23-year-old Arrizabalaga as an instant replacement for the Belgium global.

Following the arrival of Kovacic, Chelsea have healthy competition for places in midfield, with Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all competing for places.

Courtois had stayed away from Chelsea’s training ground this week as he tried to force through a move.

Courtois has always been linked with Madrid, while Kovacic has spent the summer forcing an exit from the Santiago Bernabeu. The Croatia global is expected to join the Blues on a season-long loan as part of an agreement which should witness Thibaut Courtois’ permanent exit from the club.

The teams didn’t disclose terms of Courtois’ transfer, but multiple outlets report Real Madrid will pay Chelsea £35 million (€39 million/$45 million) for his services.

In another confirmed deal, West Ham have signed Arsenal’s 29-year-old forward Lucas Perez.

Both clubs confirmed the deals were subject to personal terms being agreed and the completion of medicals, although they are formalities.

Premier League clubs are scrambling to bring in their final signings of the summer before the transfer window shuts at 5pm this afternoon. But it is likely to be around £35m, as reported earlier.

Thibaut Courtois immediately had second thoughts about his farewell message to Chelsea supporters.

Bilbao are notorious non-negotiators, only selling their players for the fees of their release clauses or for the demanded club fee. Kepa will now become the most expensive goalkeeper in the history ahead of Alisson.

Kovacic will be raring to go for his new club, but he may be forced to wait for his debut after only recently returning from his extended holiday following the World Cup. Not necessarily. Especially when you consider Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Liverpool beating the Blues to a perhaps more tested Allison.

Chelsea will start their EPL campaign with a game against Huddersfield on Saturday.