Rohan Sengupta
Manchester United have received a huge boost in their bid to keep David De Gea from the grasps of Real Madrid.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Los Blancos have agreed on a deal to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga next summer from Athletic Bilbao.
The Spanish goalkeeper has been involved in a complex contract quarrel with his current club for the best part of a year now. It is believed that Athletic Club have lost patience with the player and have decided to move on from the talented Spaniard.
Real Madrid have been looking to sign a new goalkeeper to replace Keylor Navas for years. Navas has been a wonderful player for the Spanish club but at 30 years of age, it’s very clear that he isn’t considered as the one for the future.
Kepa’s current contract runs until June 30 and the Basque club is not afraid to run down his contract. The La Liga champions, meanwhile, are ready to pay his current €20million buy-out clause.
Real president Florentino Perez has made a decision that could see Kepa arrive as Real’s first signing in the upcoming winter transfer window. The club is reportedly not willing to wait until the summer and wants the shot-stopper to join them in January in order to improve the squad.
The 23-year-old Kepa is seen as a long-term replacement for Navas and could end Real’s interest in both De Gea and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois. The Bilbao player is considered as one of the best young goalkeepers currently in the La Liga and is certain to be a part of Julen Lopetegui’s World Cup squad.
Kepa’s imminent switch from San Memes to Bernabeu would come as a huge relief to United, who intend to keep De Gea at Old Trafford for many more years to come.
Real failed to sign De Gea in the 2015 summer transfer window as the Spaniard’s proposed move to the Bernabeu on deadline day fell through at the last hour. Despite that, De Gea, who has established himself as one of the world’s premier goalkeepers and is Spain’s No.1, has been heavily linked with a move back to Spain.
De Gea’s failed transfer has also seen Real turn their attention to Chelsea’s Courtois. Whether or not if Chelsea choose to cash in on the Belgian is a different story but one thing is for certain; De Gea is a Red Devil and he will remain so for a long, long time.
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