Athletic Bilbao have confirmed Kepa Arrizabalaga has met his €80million (£72m) release clause, clearing the way for a record-breaking transfer to Chelsea.

Kepa will become the most expensive goalkeeper of all time when he completes an anticipated switch to Stamford Bridge, surpassing the €72.5m (£65m) deal Liverpool struck with Roma for Alisson earlier this transfer window.

He is also set to replace fellow Spaniard Alvaro Morata as the Blues' record signing.

Chelsea have moved for the 23-year-old as Belgium international Thibaut Courtois edges closer to a move to Real Madrid.

Kepa's representatives attended LaLiga's headquarters on Wednesday to settle the clause, in line with transfer regulations in Spain's top flight, and Athletic confirmed the formalities had been completed via a statement on their official website.

"On Wednesday August 8, 2018, at 12:02 hours, the Professional Football League has confirmed to us that the player Kepa Arrizabalaga has met the requirements for the valid unilateral termination of the work contract that linked him to Athletic Club," the release read.

"[This] indicates that the player has expressed his desire to terminate and unilaterally end the relationship that tied him [to the club] since the 2004-05 season and that the amount of the compensation established in the contract has been deposited.

"Athletic thanks the player for his contribution during the time he has remained at our club."

The release clause of €80m was set in a seven-and-a-half-year contract extension Kepa penned in January amid speculation linking him with a move to Madrid.

But Chelsea have been unable to agree extended terms with Courtois, making him a prime target at the Santiago Bernabeu once more and in turn putting Kepa on a path to Stamford Bridge.