BAYERN MUNICH CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has confirmed Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan move to Real Madrid.
The Chelsea shot-stopper, 28, was linked with a move to Bayern as he prepared to leave Stamford Bridge.
And the German champions had hoped to unveil the Spanish keeper alongside striker Harry Kane when he faced the press on Sunday.
But Dreesen confirmed at the former Spurs man’s press conference that Kepa had chosen Real Madrid.
He said: “We were close to this deal and we actually wanted to present Kepa today. But he chose to join Real Madrid.
“He’s Spanish and so Kepa wanted to accept Real proposal.”
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Kepa, who remains the world’s most expensive keeper, arrived at Chelsea for a whopping £71.6million in 2018.
But ever since Edouard Mendy arrived two years later, the former Athletic Bilbao man was made to sit on the bench.
The star, who infamously REFUSED to be subbed off in the 2019 Carabao Cup Final, regained his place last term.
Yet despite Mendy already quitting Chelsea for Saudi Arabia, he has been deemed surplus to requirements by new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
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Robert Sanchez joined the Blues in a £25m deal from Brighton on a seven-year deal.
And his arrival has paved the way for Kepa to depart.
Real Madrid wanted him on a loan-to-buy option after their No1 Thibaut Courtois sustained an ACL injury that ruled him out for the majority of the campaign.
Bayern also submitted a one-year loan proposal due to Manuel Neuer nursing an injury he picked up in a skiing accident last season.
However, Kepa had his heart set on going to the Bernabeu and informed the German giants of his decision this week.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
