Kepa’s signing for Real Madrid approved by Zidane

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has approved the potential signing of Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to MARCA. Kepa is 23 years old and his contract with Athletic expires next summer, meaning that he will be able to negotiate with any given team on January 1st 2018.

Apparently, Real Madrid have told Kepa to wait until that day comes and then sign his contract with the club as a free agent. On the other hand, Athletic are offering him a new deal with a €75 million release clause which Kepa doesn’t want to accept right now. All in all, Kepa will be put in a tough spot if he doesn’t sign a contract extension and then joins Real Madrid for free as the Athletic fans would almost certainly consider him a traitor.

Either way, Madrid have decided to sign a goalkeeper next summer and Kepa will be that man if he manages to put up with all the pressure on his side of the negotiations.