Chelsea and Real Madrid on Wednesday agreed terms for the permanent 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 goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to join Chelsea for a record 80 million euros (£71.6 million)
No fee was revealed for the transfer of the 26-year-old Courtois 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.
A statement released by Chelsea on Wednesday read:
“Chelsea and Real Madrid have tonight agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Thibaut Courtois subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing a medical.
“Subject to the completion of the deal Mateo Kovacic will join the Blues on a season-long loan.”
Madrid confirmed Courtois will undergo his medical on Thursday before being unveiled to the club’s fans at the Bernabeu.