Real Madrid News
Kepa will join Real Madrid from Chelsea on a loan deal, no buy option – report
With Real Madrid’s move for Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou collapsing due to the La Liga club’s transfer fee demands, the Merengues have acted swiftly to tie up a deal to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
Indeed, only a while ago, reports emerged claiming that Kepa, who was on his way to Bayern Munich, rejected them in favour of Real Madrid and is now on the verge of returning to Spain.
Loan deal for Kepa
Now, AS has provided some more details about the operation that will see Kepa trade Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu.
As per the report, the 28-year-old Spanish international will be signing for Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.
At this point, there is no permanent purchase clause included in the operation, with Los Blancos only liable to cover the shot-stopper’s full wages.
The report states that the two clubs are now ironing out the final details for the deal such as if there should be any loan fee involved in the deal.
Kepa is well-liked within the Real Madrid management, with the club having even made an attempt to sign him back in January 2018, only for Zinedine Zidane to block the move.
Having joined Chelsea later that summer, becoming the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in the process, Kepa will now sign for Real Madrid imminently, for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
The deal makes sense for the Spanish capital club from a sporting as well as an economic point of view.
The 28-year-old has regained his confidence after a big slump at Chelsea, has experience at the highest level, and would only be arriving on a loan deal for a year after which Thibaut Courtois can reclaim his No. 1 spot.
Real Madrid News
Bellingham on his special assist in Girona 0-3 Real Madrid: “Been watching Luka every day”
Real Madrid usurped the top spot in the La Liga standings from arch-rivals FC Barcelona as they defeated Girona 3-0 away at Estadi Montilivi.
It was a fine performance from Carlo Ancelotti’s men against Michel’s side, with the returning Jude Bellingham leading the way for his team.
After being benched against Las Palmas in midweek, the England international returned to the starting XI today and turned in yet another Man of the Match display for Real Madrid.
It all started with Joselu opening the scoring just 15 minutes into the game, with Bellingham assisting the goal with a special, outside-of-the-boot pass from the left side, bringing back memories of Luka Modric doing something similar a few years ago.
Talking about that special pass, Bellingham said: “I’ve been watching Luka every day for months. I just want to be creative. It took the pressure off us at the start.”
On the match and the result, the 20-year-old stated that it was a good day across the board for Real Madrid, as he said: “It was an important win. They were doing very well. We made a statement of intent to La Liga. Three goals, a clean sheet….”
It has been a truly remarkable start to life at Real Madrid for Bellingham and expressing how he feels to play for the Merengues, he exclaimed:
“I feel very good. I have freedom of movement and I’m enjoying football. Whenever I put on this shirt I always try to do my best.”
Apart from assisting Joselu’s opener, Bellingham also got his name on the scoresheet in the second period. Talking about his goal, the wonderkid said:
“It wasn’t a very good finish. I could have scored some more, but the important thing is the victory.”
The strike meant that Bellingham now has seven goals and two assists across all competitions for Real Madrid. Reflecting on his brilliant start, he said:
“It’s a good start, not bad. I would like to continue on this path and I won’t always score or assist, but I will always give my best.”
Bellingham’s celebration has been a huge hit, with kids in school, players from other clubs, and many others mimicking it. When asked how his special celebration originated, he replied:
“I don’t know where I first celebrated. I think it was with Birmingham. It’s an inspiration to see kids doing it in schools. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Source: AS
