Real Madrid's first foray into the January transfer market will be to snap up Athletic Bilbao's promising goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Madrid-based sports daily Marca reported on Monday. Arrizabalaga's contract expires in June meaning he could leave Bilbao for free at the end of the season.
However, Real plan on beating any competition to the 23-year-old's signature by paying his 20 million euro ($23.5 million) buyout clause. "When the winter window opens, (Madrid) will pay the 20 million buyout clause to evade the risk that (Arrizabalaga) is punished for not renewing his contract by not playing and loses the chance to go to the World Cup in Russia," said Marca's report.