Chelsea transfer news: Athletic Bilbao confirm Kepa Arrizabalaga’s release clause triggered ahead of world-record move

Spain international is set to become the most expensive goalkeeper in history

Athletic Bilbao have announced that goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has terminated his contract with the club by paying his €80m [£71m] release clause ahead of his world-record move to Chelsea.

The 23-year-old is set to become the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, eclipsing the £65m that Liverpool paid Roma for Alisson last month, and his arrival at Stamford Bridge will pave the way for current No 1 Thibaut Courtois to seal his transfer to Real Madrid.

Issuing a statement on Wednesday, Athletic announced that Kepa’s release clause has been activated, and while they did not name Chelsea, the Spain international will now finalise personal terms with the Blues and undergo a medical at their Cobham training base ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

"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 statement read.

"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."

Courtois failed to attend Chelsea training two days in a row after the Belgian international was due to report back from his post-World Cup holiday on Monday, leading to the club ramping up their attempts to find a long-term replacement. Stoke City’s Jack Butland was under consideration as a Plan B should the deal for Kepa hit any stumbling blocks, but Athletic’s stance that they would not accept anything below his release clause forced Chelsea into offering a world-record fee on Wednesday morning.

Lawyers of Kepa Arrizabalaga arrive at LaLiga headquarters to pay his release clause (EPA)

The £71m offer was submitted to the Liga head office around 08:20 this morning according to reports in Spain, with the Spanish league informing Athletic that the release clause had been triggered around midday local time.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was quizzed about the imminent signing on Tuesday night following the pre-season friendly against Lyon, but while he praised his talents he refused to confirm their approach.

"I saw him one year ago for Naples and my first impression that he was a very good goalkeeper, very young but very good,” Sarri said.

Chelsea have activated the £71m release clause for Atheltic goalkeeper Kepa (EPA)

But the announcement of Kepa’s arrival is likely to be delayed by Chelsea until they have agreed to sell Courtois, in order to prevent ending up with four goalkeepers on the books along with Willy Cabellero and summer signing Robert Green.

Madrid are pressing on with a £35m move for former Atletico Madrid stopper Courtois, but manager Julen Lopetegui refused to elaborate on their interest in the Belgian 26-year-old.

"I always say that I'm not talking about players who are not at Real Madrid,” Lopetegui said on Tuesday.

"Keylor 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."