Real Madrid 'plan' summer move for Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois even if they sign Kepa in January
Cadena Cope says that Los Blancos are only waiting for Zidane's approval to sign the Athletic Bilbao 'keeper.
Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois is said to remain a top summer target for Real Madrid even though Los Blancos are also planning to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao during the upcoming January transfer window.
Radio Station Cadena Cope says that both transfers are not connected as the Champions League winners plan to make a new move to sign the Blues number one in the summer even if they bring the in Spanish international during the upcoming winter market.
Earlier this week, Marca reported that 23-year-old Kepa will definitely join Real once the transfer window reopens in January.
The Spanish publication says that the 12-time European champions are ready to pay a fee in excess of his €20m (£17.6m, $23.5m) release clause to complete the move with the 'keeper ready to sign a six-year deal worth €2.5m a year in wages.
Cope says that the interest in Kepa is certain with the deal only awaiting Zinedine Zidane's approval.
In the summer it was said that the French boss blocked the arrival of Manchester United's David De Gea after the dressing room urged him to stick to Keylor Navas.
Cope says that Real now want to sign Kepa after Navas had missed a number of games during the opening part of the season due to injury.
However, the radio station says Real president Florentino Perez is only waiting to receive the green light from Zidane to pay the keeper's €20m release clause.
They add that the potential arrival of Kepa won't affect plans to sign Courtois from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
Real have been linked with Courtois and United ace De Gea since club legend Iker Casillas decided to leave the Santiago Bernabeu to join Porto in the summer of 2015.
Los Blancos then signed both Navas and Kiko Casilla to cover the position but there have since been suggestions that the Real president is not completely happy with the duo.
Cope indeed says that the potential arrivals of Kepa in January and Courtois in the summer will mean the end of both Navas at Casilla at the Bernabeu.
Chelsea are trying to tie Courtois to a new deal with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2019.
The 'keeper recently claimed that he remains "happy" at Chelsea but he could struggle to turn down a move to Real with the former Atletico Madrid star having two children living in Spain.
"I love my children to death. When you miss them, you are sometimes wondering 'shouldn't I play in Spain in the next few years'? That's why I want to take my time to make a decision on that contract extension," the Chelsea keeper said as quoted by Sky Sports.
"My private situation is always gnawing a little bit, but for the rest, I'm feeling very good at Chelsea. I don't see any reason why I won't sign a new deal. I just want to consider all options. Everything has to be right. It's not the right moment to make hastily decisions. Not for Chelsea, not for me.
"Within a couple of months, we will sit around the table again and talk openly. There's no pressure, apart from the media. The club knows that too. Basically, I want an agreement before the end of the season."
If Courtois decides against signing a new deal Chelsea may be tempted to cash in on with him in at the end of the season in order to avoid the risk of losing for free the following summer.
