Kepa got an amazing opportunity during the summer window, when he swapped his up and down time at Chelsea for a loan at Real Madrid.
Before the Blues had bought the Spanish goalkeeper, he’d been of interest to Los Blancos. Indeed, all the way back in January 2018 it was reported that Madrid were set to sign him for €20m from Athletic Club Bilbao.
That was the amount of his release clause at the time and there were even claims he’d undergone a medical ahead of the move. However, as the story goes, Zinedine Zidane went against the transfer and Kepa stayed where he was and extended his deal.
That new contract had a release clause worth €80m, which is the amount Chelsea ended up paying in summer 2018.
Thanks to Thibaut Courtois picking up a serious injury, Kepa finally got his Real Madrid chance this summer and is expected to be first choice until the Belgian returns to fitness.
Given he’s only on a season long loan from Chelsea, if nothing else happens he’s set to return to Stamford Bridge next summer.
However, Thursday’s edition of Sport presents the opportunity of a permanent transfer. Real Madrid would be considering it and the goalkeeper would be ‘delighted’ to stay where he is, even though he’d be second choice.
According to the report, Chelsea would want €25m for a permanent deal, whereas Real Madrid would offer €18m – stated as his market value – if they decide to push ahead for a deal.
