Kepa's €80m release clause paid as Chelsea seal deal for Courtois replacement.
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga having activated the goalkeeper's €80 million release clause.
The player's representatives and lawyers travelled to La Liga headquarters in Valencia to pay the fee, with Kepa now due to travel to London to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms.
Athletic confirmed that the release clause had been paid on Wednesday, issuing a statement that read: "The player Kepa Arrizabalaga has met the requirements for the valid unilateral termination of the contract that linked him to Athletic Club.
"The aforementioned certification indicates that the player has expressed his desire to terminate and unilaterally resolve the relationship that had joined him with the club since the 2004-05 season and that the amount of the compensation established in the contract has been deposited.
"Athletic thanks the player for his contribution during the time he has remained with our club."
It will also make Kepa the world's most expensive goalkeeper, less than a month after Alisson joined Liverpool in a €73m move.
The move for the Spaniard will free up Thibaut Courtois to complete a switch to Real Madrid, with the Belgian having been absent from training as he looked to force through a switch to Santiago Bernabeu.
