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Kepa Arrizabalaga explains Real Madrid snub

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga says that he turned down the chance to join Real Madrid during the January transfer window.

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Real Madrid during the January transfer window.

The Spaniard was strongly linked with a move to the Bernabeu in the early stages of 2018, and it had been claimed that the stopper underwent a medical with Los Blancos during the winter window.

Kepa ultimately signed a new seven-year contract at San Mames, however, and the 23-year-old has said that ambitions of making the Spain squad for the 2018 World Cup played a key role in his decision.

"In order to play at the World Cup, I know I have to do well with my club, Athletic," Kepa told Cadena SER. "Rejecting Madrid? It's true that during the process, I decided to stay on the fringes. It was a time when I needed to think things through.

"It was a life decision, deciding which path to take in my career. I needed time to get together with my family and closest friends.

"In the end, I wanted to be sure and weigh everything up. Once it became clear, I made the decision I made by signing a contract for several years. I'm very happy about the path I've taken. I've signed on for seven more years."

Kepa has kept six clean sheets in 21 La Liga appearances for Bilbao this season.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


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