Courtois turns Madridista

Chelsea and Real Madrid agreed terms on Wednesday for the transfer of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing a medical.

The deal should now pave the way for Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga to join Chelsea for a record 80 million euro ($ 92 million) fee for a goalkeeper.

No fee was revealed for the transfer of the Courtois, who had just one more year to run on his Chelsea contract, although Spanish media claimed that the deal is 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.

The English giants have been forced into finding a replacement for Courtois, 26, after he failed to report for pre-season training on Monday.

Courtois joined Chelsea from Genk in 2011, but spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid before returning to London where he won two Premier League titles in four seasons.

And with his two children still resident in the Spanish capital, Courtois's agent claimed earlier this week family commitments were a motivating factor in forcing a move to the European champions.

"He has made it clear to the club that the best option for him is to move to Madrid," Christophe Henrotay told the Sun newspaper.

"For him this is a big decision because he wants to be near his family, and there is an offer in place for Chelsea to accept."

Just weeks after Liverpool broke the record transfer fee for a goalkeeper in a deal worth up to 72.5 million euros for Brazilian international Alisson Becker, the inexperienced Arrizabalaga, 23, is now set to inherit the title of the world's most expensive goalkeeper.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bilbao confirmed that Arrizabalaga had paid his buyout clause at the league's headquarters in Madrid to free him from his contract with Athletic. Arrizabalaga has played 53 times in La Liga for Bilbao over the last two seasons, and made his international debut in a 5-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in November 2017.

He was also in the Spain squad for the World Cup in Russia as back-up to David De Gea, but has yet to make his competitive debut for Spain.

But for a late change of course due to the wishes of former Real boss Zinedine Zidane, Arrizabalaga could have joined Madrid himself in January when his buyout clause was just 20 million euros.

However, after that move collapsed, he signed a new seven-year deal with the Basque side that dramatically increased his release clause and has cost Chelsea dear.

‘childhood dream’

Thibaut Courtois has long dreamed of representing Real Madrid - despite his former ties to Atletico and title-winning exploits across town.

Joining Real Madrid marks the fulfilment of a childhood dream for Thibaut Courtois - who won LaLiga with bitter rivals Atletico in 2013-14.

The 26-year-old Belgium international penned his six-year contract before an audience that included his two children, both of whom live in the Spanish capital with his former partner.

"Today I fulfil a dream," Courtois said. "You cannot understand how happy I am. Those who know me know the effort I have put in to get here.

"My hard work and my feelings have always been about being the best. I have the chance to fulfil a new dream.

"I have dreamt about this since I was a child, admiring those who came on to the pitch to represent Real Madrid.

"I have been a rival and I know what it is to face Real Madrid. Today I'm one of you. Hala Madrid."

Madrid president Florentino Perez lauded Courtois' performances, which helped Belgium to finish third at the 2018 World Cup, before acknowledging the family ties that proved a key factor in the transfer.

"Today is another happy day for Madridistas because we have another excellent player joining us," said Perez.

"Real Madrid will look to keep this incredible period of success going, faithful to our history. Our strategy is to make a team with the best players in the world, the best players in Spain and a youth academy that has always been our identity.

"It's a great day, we've got an important player who will help us to be better. The best goalkeeper from the last World Cup. Welcome, Thibaut Courtois. One of the best goalkeepers in the world, if not the best.

"Everyone knows Thibaut was vital in Belgium coming third. The signing of Courtois is part of our strategy of the club as well - to bring in players who are able to understand the international needs of Real."

kepa excited for challenge

Kepa said he was excited to work with Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, and revealed the club's Spanish contingent had helped persuade him to sign.

Kepa Arrizabalaga described himself as "a calm, settled goalkeeper" but predicted that he would fit into Maurizio Sarri's "aggressive" style of football at Chelsea.

Sarri guided Napoli to second place in Serie A in 2017-18 and earned plaudits across Europe for his attractive brand of football, and Kepa said he was keen to start working with the Italian coach.

"I'm really looking forward to starting to work with [Sarri]," Kepa told the official Chelsea app The 5th Stand.

"I've heard great things about him, great references. I can't wait to see that first hand, to meet him and work with him.

"I think his style is not too different from the style used in the Spanish national team. I believe my qualities will fit in well with this style. I personally like his style. It's aggressive, he likes to attack, putting pressure on the opposition and I like that.

"I would say that I am a calm, settled goalkeeper. I think I try to convey a calmness to the team, so they feel they have behind them a goalkeeper that is in control."