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Chelsea swoop for Kepa in record move as transfer deadline looms
LONDON, Aug 9, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Chelsea shattered the world-record fee
for a goalkeeper with an 80-million euro swoop for Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa
Arrizabalaga on Wednesday as the Premier League transfer window prepared to
slam shut.
While the rest of Europe’s leading leagues don’t close the window until
later in August, England’s top-flight clubs have until 1600GMT on Thursday to
wrap up their business.
That set the stage for a dramatic day of wheeling and dealing across the
country, with Chelsea getting the ball rolling on Wednesday night.
In a 90-minute spell, Chelsea agreed to sell Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut
Courtois to Real Madrid in a deal worth around 35 million euros.
Chelsea added in a statement that subject to the completion of the
Courtois deal, Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic would join the Blues from
Real on a season-long loan.
Then it was announced that 23-year-old Kepa had penned a seven-year
contract with Chelsea making him the most expensive goalkeeper in history at
80 million euros (œ71.6 million, $92 million).
Courtois, who had less than a year left on his Chelsea contract, wanted to
move to Spain for personal reasons.
The Belgium star, who spent three seasons at Atletico Madrid from 2011 to
2014, wanted to move closer to his two children in the Spanish capital and
had stayed away from training with Chelsea this week in a bid to force
through the transfer.
Kepa, who came close to joining Real Madrid in January, becomes the
world’s most expensive goalkeeper, his fee surpassing the œ67 million
Liverpool splashed out for Roma’s Alisson last month.
Liverpool are the window’s biggest spenders so far, with boss Jurgen Klopp
bringing in œ160 million of new recruits, but the total spend by Premier
League clubs is unlikely to smash the œ1.4 billion record set in 2017.
Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is hoping for a busy end
to the window after repeatedly complaining about the lack of depth in his
squad.
Mourinho is reported to have clashed with United executive vice-chairman
Ed Woodward following a series of failed attempts to land a top-class centre-
back, with Leicester and England star Harry Maguire believed to be top of his
wanted list.
But the Foxes aren’t keen to sell Maguire, especially on the cheap, so
United may have to look elsewhere if they want a new face in their defence in
time for Friday’s Premier League opener, ironically against Leicester at Old
Trafford.
Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has been eyeing a move away from the
north London club and could be a target for United, who appear to have missed
out on Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng.
United midfielder Paul Pogba has been linked with a blockbuster switch to
Barcelona after the France World Cup winner reportedly grew frustrated with
perceived criticism from Mourinho.
But United are said to have no intention of allowing the former Juventus
star to leave Old Trafford in the current window.
Time is running out for Tottenham to make their first major signing since
the end of last season as they struggle to agree a price for Aston Villa
midfielder Jack Grealish.
The Championship club are holding firm for a reported fee in excess of œ30
million.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1045HRS