Athletic Club have announced highly rated goalkeeper Kepa has put pen to paper on a long-term deal until 2025.
Kepa’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season and the 23-year-old was expected to sign for Real Madrid this month.
However, there has been a remarkable u-turn and now the Spain international has committed his long-term future to his boyhood club.
Any clubs interested in signing the 23-year-old will now have match his increased €80m (£70.5m) release clause.
News of Kepa’s renewal means Madrid will have to re-evaluate their search for Keylor Navas’ successor, which may not please Manchester United and Chelsea.
Madrid have been heavily linked with moves for both of their goalkeepers in the past and now that Kepa is off the market, Zinedine Zidane’s side may return for either one in the summer.
United are currently in the process of renewing David de Gea’s deal, while Chelsea have been locked in talks with Thibaut Courtois since the start of the season.
Both will now look to accelerate deals for both to avoid having to fend off Madrid’s expected interest in the summer.
Kepa has only kept four clean sheets in 14 league matches this season.
