Kepa Arrizabalaga’s €80m release clause has been paid on behalf of Chelsea

It’s happening.

According to Spanish news agency EFE, who were on the scene La Liga headquarters in Madrid this morning, the €80m release clause payment for Kepa Arrizabalaga has been paid and has become effective as of 9:22 this (Wednesday) morning.

Kepa’s lawyers and at least one agent from Bahía Internacional, who represent the 23-year-old goalkeeper made the €80m payment in person on behalf of Chelsea.

With the release clause paid, Chelsea can now sort out personal terms, pay for the kid’s flight, put him through the formality of a medical, and sign, seal, and deliver him to Sarri’s waiting arms, who reportedly wants him to start on Saturday against Huddersfield already.

Given that Chelsea are about to set not only a club record for most expensive signing but a world record for most expensive goalkeeper (beating Liverpool’s €75m move for Alisson just three weeks ago), it’s only understandable that we want him to play as much as humanly possible.

Time to start tracking some flights.