The Basque goalkeeper will be on loan for the Whites until the end of the season. Replaces the loss of Thibaut Courtois
He RealMadrid He already has the guardian who will defend his goal in the 2023-2024 season: Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spanish goalkeeper arrives as assigned, with no purchase option, coming from Chelsea. In just over 48 hours, the Madrid team has achieved one of the best possible alternatives after the terrible news of Thibaut Courtois’ injury.
The Basque goalkeeper was very close to an agreement with Bayern Munich, but as soon as possible Real Madrid got in touch with their environment to arouse their interest, Kepa stopped his arrival in Germany dead to listen carefully to the Madrid Group’s proposal.
This is Real Madrid’s second attempt to sign Kepa. In January 2018 He was very close to Chamartín, but Zinedine Zidane, who did not want to sign a goalkeeper midway through the season, resisted his arrival. Months later, he would become the most expensive goalkeeper in history when he signed for Chelsea at a price of 80 million euros.
Initially, Real Madrid had opted for the option of bondSevilla goalkeeper Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred option, but the fact that he had to go to the Africa Cup in January and Sevilla demanded an amount never less than 20 million euroshas made the Madrid team turn to the option of Kepa, who also arrives on loan.
Kepa is also popular with Ancelotti and especially with the goalkeeper coach, Luis Lopiswho already worked with him at Athletic Club Bilbao, the very team against which the white team is playing on this first day of the League and which Kepa will not be able to face. Lunin starts against Bilbao but everything points to that Kepa is the starting goalkeeper for the rest of the season. At least until Thibaut Courtois can return.
Kepa arrives at Real Madrid at the age of 28, with plenty of Premier League and Champions League experience after five seasons at Chelsea, three of which he started. has disputed 163 games and has left a clean sheet 59 times.
On the other hand, it should be noted that one of the main reasons why Kepa could sign for Real Madrid instead of Bayern Munich is the Eurocup. The fact that he plays for Real Madrid can benefit him for the Spanish team. Kepa wants to stay in Luis de la Fuente’s selection and try convincing the coach to be the starting goalkeeper at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.
Source: Goal