Chelsea are preparing for an exodus of squad players as they tie up the world-record signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and the arrival of midfielder Mateo Kovacic on loan from Real Madrid.

Kepa underwent a medical on Wednesday ahead of both signings being formally announced as Chelsea players, while Thibaut Courtois is due in Madrid for his Real medical on Thursday morning.

Chelsea confirmed the Courtois and Kovacic deals in a statement that read: “Chelsea and Real Madrid have tonight agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Thibaut Courtois subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing a medical. Subject to the completion of the deal Mateo Kovacic will join the Blues on a season-long loan.@

The sale of Courtois will earn Chelsea around £35 million and they must now make decisions on the futures of a number of other players including Tiemoue Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi, Kurt Zouma and Danny Drinkwater.

The most pressing of those are Zouma and Drinkwater, who have attracted interest from English Premier League clubs, so would need to move before the 5pm Thursday deadline.

Everton have shown an interest in taking Kurt Zouma on loan. Reports in France had also claimed Manchester United could make a surprise late move for the central defender, but they were later denied by sources at the Old Trafford club.