Real Madrid set to axe Kiko Casilla in order to sign Athletic Bilbao keeper

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Madrid, Dec 13: Real Madrid are set to axe their second choice keeper Kiko Casilla in order to sign Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the January transfer window, according to reports.

Casilla joined Madrid from Espanyol in 2015 first choice Keylor Navas's deputy and as of now has only made 22 league starts during his two years at the Bernabeu. But now with Real all set fo Kepa, he is reportedly been told that he can leave the club next month and choose his desired club by his own.

As per reports, Premier League side Newcastle United has shown interest in the 31-year-old keeper and could move for him January. The Magpies boss Rafa Benitez bought the player during his spell at Real Madrid and reportedly now wants to reunite with the keeper at St. James Park in the coming window. Kiko has a Madrid contract until 2020 but the fee for the player is yet to be settled.

Meanwhile, Kepa who has only six months left in his contract has reportedly agreed to terms with the Los Blancos. Earlier it was believed that Real would go for the player next year when he will be a free agent. But now according to reports, the agreement between Kepa and Madrid is already in place and Florentino Perez has reportedly agreed to pay the 20 million euro demand of Athletic Bilbao.

Since the last one year, Madrid have been searching for a new keeper to strengthen their squad and earlier had reportedly inquired about the likes of David de Gea, Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris, however it looks like now their search for a new keeper will soon end in January as they are now confident of landing the promising young Spanish stopper when they return from the Club World Cup.