Chelsea agree to world record £71.6m fee for Bilbao's Kepa

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Chelsea have agreed to pay a world record 71.6 million pounds to replace Thibaut Courtois with Athletic Bilbao's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to several Spanish and English media outlets.

With Chelsea’s Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois absent from training on Monday and Tuesday in an apparent attempt to force a move to Real Madrid, Chelsea have been heavily linked with Bilbao’s 23-year-old stopper.

“I don’t know [if Courtois will leave], I want to speak with my club and then together we will decide,” Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri told reporters on Tuesday after Chelsea drew 0-0 with Olympique Lyonnais in a pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge.

The fee for Kepa would surpass the former record Liverpool new goalie Alisson commanded by more than £4m. /VCG Photo

“I saw [Kepa] one year ago, my first impression was that he is a very good goalkeeper, very young but very good.”

It is understood that Arrizabalaga will fly from Madrid to London on Wednesday to complete his move, with the Blues paying his buy-out clause as Athletic are unwilling to strike a deal.

Should the Spanish international move for the transfer fee being reported, he would become the world’s most expensive keeper ahead of Brazil’s Alisson, who cost 65 million pounds in a move from AS Roma to Liverpool last month.

(With input from agencies)