Confirmed: Chelsea Announce Deal To Sign International Star As Courtois Joins Madrid

The summer transfer window is drawing to a close and managers are working hard to secure last minute deals so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, big news coming out of Chelsea…

Chelsea have confirmed this evening that Mateo Kovacic will join the club on a season-long loan as part of a deal seeing Thibaut Courtois join Real Madrid.

Kovacic has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks after deciding it was time to leave Madrid having struggled to establish himself as a first team regular at the Bernabeu since arriving from Inter Milan in 2015.

A breakthrough was reached during talks with Madrid as news broke over the past 24 hours claiming that the Croatian international was due to fly-in to London to undergo his medical ahead of a move to Chelsea.

The Blues have now announced on Chelseafc.com that Kovacic will join the club on a season-long loan deal with Courtois heading to Spain in the opposite direction, subject to agreeing personal terms and completing a medical.

Courtois has been trying to force his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer after refusing to sign a new contract and Chelsea have decided to cash-in rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

The Belgian international has developed in to one of the best keepers in the world since joining Chelsea from Genk in 2011 but he wants to return to the Spanish capital to be closer to his family.

A statement on the clubs website read:

Chelsea and Real Madrid have tonight agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Thibaut Courtois subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing a medical.

Subject to the completion of the deal Mateo Kovacic will join the Blues on a season-long loan.

Courtois exit will leave a huge void to be filled between the sticks but Chelsea have moved quickly to find his replacement as they are set to wrap up a world record £71m deal to sign Kepa from Athletic Bilbao.

READ MORE–> Chelsea transfer news

Maurizio Sarri admitted last week he wanted to sign another midfielder and Kovacic should prove to be an excellent signing for the Londoners and his arrival could see Tiemoue Bakayoko join AC Milan on loan.