Real Madrid have informed Athletic Bilbao of their intention to sign goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga this month, say reports in Spain.
The Spain international is now free to discuss terms with other clubs due to being in the final six months of his contract, with Madrid reportedly willing to trigger his €20m release clause in January.
Marca now state the Spanish and European champions have informed the Basque giants of their intentions, having reported earlier this month he had passed his medical at the Bernabeu.
Athletic are reportedly totally unwilling to negotiate on Kepa’s release clause and if it is not triggered, they will not sanction his exit.
The 23-year-old has yet to win a cap for his national side but is now a regular deputy to David De Gea and is excelling at club level after long-standing Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz left for Girona.
Kepa would likely replace Keylor Navas as the first choice goalkeeper at Los Blancos, whilst it would almost certainly end the long-running speculation over a move for Manchester United’s De Gea.
