Real Madrid inform Athletic Club of their intention to sign Kepa in January LaLiga - Transfer Market Los Blancos already in negotiations

It's been one of the biggest stories of the January transfer window so far, and Real Madrid have informed Athletic Club of their intention to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga this month.

Despite Zinedine Zidane's rather public claims that he doesn't want any new signings in the winter window, the club are believed to be pressing on with a deal to secure the Spanish stopper.

According to ETB, a Basque regional station, Los Rojiblancos are already aware of the deal.

Completing the signing would clash with the French coach's opinion on his current squad, something which could be a potential point of contention between himself and Florentino Perez should the club's on-pitch woes continue.

"As a coach, I say definitely that I don't need a goalkeeper at this moment," he explained in a press conference on January 6.

"If there are changes in June then we will sit down and discuss the matter.

"I'll make it clear, I don't need to sign anyone because I believe in my squad, I'm not going to change my mind."

Irrespective of such passionate words, Los Blancos have continued operating behind the scenes to secure a deal for a stopper who will likely replace Keylor Navas eventually, within ETB's report it's said that Real Madrid's hierarchy have told their counterparts at Athletic Club that the deal will be finalised before the end of January.