Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper and Real Madrid transfer target Kepa Arrizabalaga has arrived in Madrid for a medical ahead of his transfer.
Marca are reporting that Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived in Madrid and completed a medical on Thursday, paving the way for his imminent transfer to Real Madrid. The Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper has long been considered Los Blancos’ most likely January signing, so this should come as no surprise.
With Kepa most likely soon to be added to Real Madrid’s roster, serious questions remain about the future of current backup goalkeeper Kiko Casilla. Casilla has featured heavily this season due to Keylor Navas’ extended injury absences, and due to Zidane’s rotation in the Copa del Rey. Reports suggest that former Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez, the current manager of Newcastle United, is interested in acquiring Casilla’s services.
It will also be interesting to see what Kepa’s signing means for Real Madrid’s current starting goalkeeper, Keylor Navas. Navas has had an up-and-down season, marred by injury for some, demonstrating inconsistent form early on, but improving towards the winter months.
Navas has not been the primary source of Real Madrid’s problems, but nor has he been in the stellar form which saw him signed for Madrid in the first place. He could soon find himself with serious competition for his starting spot in the form of the young Spanish keeper from Athletic Bilbao.
Either way, this is the good kind of problem for Zidane to have. Kiko Casilla has been a liability in goal, and with Navas’ health intermittently becoming a problem, Real Madrid would not want to have to rely on him in the later stages of the Champions League.
Some have complained that Madrid could scoop up Kepa for free in the summer. But with Madrid only paying a paltry transfer fee of 20 million euros, there’s no reason Madrid shouldn’t jump at the opportunity to secure his signature while they are still the first in line. Casilla is simply not a good enough backup for Real Madrid to rely on in the treacherous months to come. And Kepa is a no-brainer decision for Madrid – young, Spanish, cheap, and fills an immediate need in the squad. Real Madrid would be stupid to waste this opportunity to scoop Kepa up while they still can.
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