Chelsea are set to trigger the £71 million release clause in the contract of Athletic Club's goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga as Thibaut Courtois goes a AWOL to force Real Madrid move.
Courtois being linked to real Madrid has been one of the most talked about transfer saga during this window.
Real Madrid have made known their intention of signing the Belgian International from Chelsea whom they value at around £35 million.
The World Cup Bronze medalist has now refused to resume training which he was scheduled to on Monday for Medicals in preparations for the new season as he looks set to force his way out of the club.
Planning for his potential departure, Chelsea are now set to test Athletic Club's resolve with a deal for their prized goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Athletic have made know their stand of not entertaining any bid for the young goalkeeper but could be forced into a transfer should Chelsea meet his buyout clause which is about £71 million.
Should the deal see the light, it would break Chelsea's transfer record of £58 million, potentially rising to £70 million which they paid Real Madrid for striker, Alvaro Morata just last summer.
It would also eclipse the record for the most expensive goalkeeper which was just broken few weeks ago after Liverpool paid £58 million to bring Brazilian shot-stopper, Alisson Becker from AS Roma.
BIG DEBATE
Do you think the move by Courtois is the best?
Does he stand a chance to automatically unseat Keylor Navas as Number 1?
Do you think Lopetegui would just casually throw aside a goalkeeper who has helped Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles?
For me, I belive it could be a big gamble both on all sides.
Chelsea would be gambling to pay such a huge amount for a goalkeeper who would be coming to a league he is not familiar with, entirely different from what is obtained in Spain.
We all saw how De Gea and even Courtois himself struggled in their early days in England and coming with so much price tag could put him under a lot of pressure.
The gamble on Courtois' side may not really be big as he could be liked by the Madrid coach but what if he ends up playing second fiddle to Navas.
The gamble on this end would be more on Madrid's side, if they would be willing to unseat Navas, just like that, even though Courtois is returning to a familiar league.