Real Madrid’s €20m January deal will boost Manchester United

Real Madrid have reportedly agreed a January deal for Kepa Arrizabalaga, putting an end to their interest in David de Gea.

De Gea will not be leaving Old Trafford in the near future after Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada claimed Kepa was heading to the Bernabeu in the next transfer window.

Real have been heavily linked with a move for De Gea over the last few years. Real president Florentino Perez tried to bring the United keeper to the Bernabeu this summer, but Zinedine Zidane is understood to have blocked the deal.

De Gea came close to moving to Los Blancos in 2015, with Keylor Navas set to go the other way, however the deal broke down late in the transfer window due to a faulty fax machine.

But speaking on TV show El Chiringuito, Estrada said: “Kepa and Real Madrid have already reached an agreement.”

And Spanish outlet Don Balon believe Kepa’s arrival will finally shut the door on the speculation linking De Gea with Real.

Kepa, who has been linked with Arsenal, this week admitted he was aware of the transfer speculation over his future.

The 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper’s contract expires in June, when he will be able to walk away on a free transfer. Marca though claim the player’s release clause is €20million and Real are set to activate that in January as they look for competition for Navas.

This week Arrizabalaga told El Correo: “My only focus right now is with the national team.

“There’s nothing more I can say other than I am a player for Spain and for Athletic Club, nothing else matters to me.”

When pressed further about transfer speculation, the goalkeeper continued: “Of course I know of the rumours, I can see them and hear them, you know they exist but I know my situation better than that.

“They don’t make me nervous and I’m keeping calm.”