What does £20m Real Madrid blow mean for Newcastle United’s Kiko Casilla hopes?

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Premier League giants Newcastle United looked the most likely destination for Real Madrid’s Kiko Casilla but his La Liga future has taken a twist.

Under-fire Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said publicly that he does not want any new players at the Santiago Bernabau this month and it looks as if he could get his wish.

Because, after 16 months of negotiations, Kepa Arrizabalaga has stunningly signed a contract to remain at Athletic Bilbao until 2025 complete with a £70.5 million release clause, bringing to an end intense speculation surrounding a £20 million move to the stalling La Liga champions, as reported by the Daily Mail (live blog, 10.16am).

But this is not only bad news for Real. It may not go down particularly well with Newcastle United either.

Because the arrival of Spanish under-21 shot-stopper Kepa was supposed to pave the way for understudy goalkeeper Kiko Casilla to leave Madrid this month, with a reunion with former Los Blancos coach Rafa Benitez on the cards.

As reported by the Mail, Benitez was keen to reunite with a player he brought to Real during his brief spell in charge of the club in 2015/16.

The Spaniard’s desire for a new number one has been well established, despite some positive recent displays from Karl Darlow but it seems very unlikely indeed that Real will now let Casilla leave without Kepa arriving to take his place.

This means the former Espanyol stopper, who has never really challenged Keylor Navas for the number one jersey at Madrid, will be stuck on the Bernabau bench for the next few months.