Real Madrid have agreed a £22m deal for Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga - and that could mean Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea are now off their hit list.

It comes as a major boost for Chelsea and their hopes of agreeing a new contract for Belgium No1 Courtois whose current deal expires in 18 months’ time.

Manchester United keeper de Gea, 27, has been Real Madrid’s long term target but they have found it impossible to get him out of Old Trafford.

However, Real may still look for a long term No1 depending on Arrizabalaga’s progress, with the newly-capped Spain keeper set to move in January.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to join Real Madrid next summer (
Image:
Getty Images)
Arrizabalaga's contract runs out at the end of the season (
Image:
AFP)

Arrizabalaga, 23, is out of contract at the end of the season but Real Madrid are paying above his release clause to get the deal done as they rate him so highly.

Then it will be down to Real Madrid to decide whether they want another keeper but Arrizabalaga’s arrival does take the immediate pressure off trying to launch a huge raid for either Courtois or de Gea.

Manchester United's David De Gea has long been linked with a move to the Spanish giants (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois was another player on Madrid's radar (
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CameraSport via Getty Images)

Courtois, 25, who had loan spells at Atletico Madrid, has admitted he wants his future resolved before the end of the season and it may also come down to personal reasons as his children live in Spain.

Real Madrid have failed with several bids for de Gea and United are desperate to keep him while Courtois may be easier to get if he does not re-sign.

Paris Saint Germain are also watching developments on Courtois who was valued at more than £70m by Chelsea in 2015 to dissuade Real Madrid making a bid.