Arsenal, Juventus and Real Madrid are all watching Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa’s contract negotiations with a keen interest, according to Marca.
The 23 year old’s current deal expires at the end of June, and contract talks have stalled, despite discussions being ongoing for over 10 months. The major stumbling block looks to be wages. Kepa’s representatives believe the keeper should be paid the same as the club’s top earners Aymeric Laporte and Aritz Aduriz.
Marca report that talks initially stumbled on Bilbao’s insistence on a €100m buyout clause but the Basque club ceded to the player’s demands by agreeing to a lower €75m fee.
Negotiations over Kepa’s salary will reportedly continue until the New Year but time is running out. On January 1st, the Spanish under 21 international can talk to prospective clubs. Both the Gunners and Juventus have made their interest clear through intermediaries, but it is believed that Real Madrid are the favourites to sign Kepa currently. The La Liga champions are said to be lining him up as a replacement for current number one Keylor Navas.
