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Real Madrid transfer news LIVE: Courtois official statement, Chelsea deal, Eriksen plan
REAL MADRID transfer news is coming thick and fast ahead of this month’s deadline and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest gossip from the Bernabeu.
Luka Modric returns to Real Madrid training after World Cup
Real Madrid transfer news LIVE: All the latest from the Bernabeu
Wednesday, August 8
Real Madrid and Chelsea deals agreed
Real Madrid have confirmed they will sign Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea, stating: “Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC have agreed to the transfer of player Thibaut Courtois, who remains linked to the club for the next six seasons.
“After the medical examination that will take place tomorrow, Thursday, August 9, the player will be presented at 1:00 pm in the honour box of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
"Subsequently, Courtois will step on the turf of the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time wearing the Real Madrid CF shirt and will attend the media in the press room.”
Mateo Kovacic will head the other way. Real said: “Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC have agreed to the transfer of player Mateo Kovacic for the next season, until June 30, 2019.”
Chelsea pay Kepa's release
Chelsea have paid Kepa’s £72m release clause and he’s on the way to London.
Chelsea have this morning completed the formalities with Athletic Bilbao to sign goalkeeper Kepa.
He is now heading to London and will be announced as a Chelsea player before tomorrow's 5pm deadline and will sign a five-year contract.
He will join Chelsea as the most expensive goalkeeper in history and replace Thibaut Courtois, who will join Real Madrid for £35m.
He could even make his debut when Chelsea face Huddersfield on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Eriksen to Real Madrid
Christian Eriksen is on Real Madrid’s list of targets if they lose Luka Modric to Inter Milan.
Modric wants to join Inter and Real have drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential suitors.
Marca claim Tottenham star Eriksen is top of that list.
However, Spurs are determined not to sell their top players, so Julen Lopetegui may have to move for Bayer Munich’s Thiago or Sergej Milinkovic-Savic instead.
Marcelo to Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo could be used in a plot to prise Marcelo away from Real Madrid.
Juventus signed Ronaldo from Real this summer in a £105m deal.
And the Italian giants now want to sign Marcelo as well, with plans in place to use the good relationship the left-back has with Ronaldo to see a deal through.
Tuttosport claim Juve are ready to sell Alex Sandro to PSG for £45m in order to free up space for Marcelo.
Kovacic to Chelsea medical
Mateo Kovacic is poised to undergo a Chelsea medical with the Blues and Real Madrid crossing the ts and dotting the is on a deal.
Real have agreed to send Kovacic to Stamford Bridge on loan for the season as a sweetener as Thibaut Courtois heads to the Bernabeu.
Transfer guru Alfredo Pedulla says the Croatian’s switch is all but done with the final details being finalised.
Kovacic is now set to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper and seeing his arrival at Chelsea officially announced.
Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga is going to replace Courtois in Chelsea’s goal after activating the release clause in his Athletic Bilbao contract.
Modric returns
Luka Modric is back in training with Real Madrid despite Inter Milan’s talks to sign the player.
Modric wants out of the Bernabeu and his wife reportedly contacted Inter earlier this summer to gauge their interest.
The Serie A club are keen to secure a deal but it would have to be on loan for 12 months before making a move permanent.
Real have told Inter Modric is not available unless someone meets his £668m release clause. That is unrealistic but Modric hopes a move can be done all the same as he reports back to Real training.
Milinkovic-Savic fee
Real Madrid have been told they'll need to fork out at least €110m (£99m) if they want to sign Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Los Blancos, along with Manchester United, have been linked with a move for the talented 23-year-old.
However, Lazio’s president Claudio Lotito has revealed the hefty fee the they'll have to fork out if they want to secure his signature.
Lotito claims he is worth way more than the £89m United spent on Paul Pogba two summers ago.
“Sergej is the best young midfielder in the world, and he has a great margin for improvement,” Lotito said.
“However, so far, no one has come forward. I haven’t received any offers from Milan or Juventus, let alone from Real Madrid and Manchester United.
“I certainly won’t push to sell him, but if you ask me how much he is worth, then I need to remind you that last year I turned down €110m.
“How much was Pogba sold for to Man United? Then Milinkovic-Savic is worth even more, because he’s much better.
“Now rest assured, I’m not interested in loan formulas or technical counterparts.”
Courtois agreement
Thibaut Courtois is currently in Belgium waiting to travel to Spain to complete his £35million move to Real Madrid.
That is according to Belgian football expert Kristof Terreur.
After going AWOL and skipping Chelsea training in order to push through his move to Real Madrid, Courtois is close to getting his wish.
With the transfer window closing on Thursday, time is running out for deals to be completed but according to Terreur, Courtois’ move will be finalised tomorrow.
He wrote on Twitter: “Thibaut Courtois is in Belgium, waiting for a call to travel to Madrid.
“Real Madrid expect to finalise the deal tomorrow. There is an agreement over a 6-year deal. Real are paying around £35m to Chelsea.”
Kovacic wants Man City move
Mateo Kovacic is pushing for a move away from Real Madrid with Chelsea and Manchester City both keeping tabs on the midfielder.
The Independent claim City is Kovacic’s first choice despite reports yesterday of Chelsea being on the brink of signing him.
The 24-year-old wants regular first-team football this season and reports in Spain suggest he has chosen not to return to training with Madrid in a bid to secure his Premier League move before tomorrow’s deadline.
A short-term loan move is also being considered with Madrid reluctant to part ways with the Croatian.
Kovacic and Modric are happy at Real Madrid says Lopetegui
Lopetegui on goalkeepers
Julen Lopetegui has refused to discuss the prospect of Thibaut Courtois arriving at Real Madrid and insists the club has complete faith in goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
His comments come after Madrid won 2-1 in the International Champions Cup against Roma in New Jersey last night.
"As I've said, I don't speak about players who do not belong to Real Madrid. I'll only speak about the ones who are at Real Madrid and today is no different," he said.
"Did you see him today? Keylor is our goalkeeper. He's here. There is no other goalkeeper we can talk about. Keylor, Kiko [Casilla], Luca [Zidane] and [Andriy] Lunin are the ones I can speak about.
"Keylor is phenomenal. He's been phenomenal all pre-season. He's an extraordinary goalkeeper. He's delighted to be with Real Madrid and we're delighted to have him with us."
Gudjohnsen done deal
Real Madrid have completed the signing of Andri Lucas Gudjohnsen, son of former Barcelona and Bolton striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The 16-year-old attacker has joined the Champions League winners from fellow La Liga side Espanyol.
It is expected Gudjohnsen will go straight into the under-19 set-up which is coached by Daniel Poyatos.
Real have yet to announce the move but the youngster posted a photo of himself signing the contract at the Bernabeu.
The image was accompanied by a caption with the forward expressing his delight at moving to Los Blancos.
“Very excited and proud to announce that I have signed with Real Madrid,” the post read.
“Looking forward to the future.”