Chelsea are now starting to receive transfer interest for the summer in their goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
That is according to well-respected journalist Simon Phillips.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, 29, is still on the books at Stamford Bridge but is spending this year on a season-long loan at Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The gloveman’s kept seven clean sheets in 18 appearances this campaign. Unfortunately, he’s lost his starting position at the Bernabeu in the last couple of months.
There’s now been fresh reports about what will happen with the shot-stopper at the end of the season when he’s due to return to Chelsea.
Simon Phillips reported via his Substack yesterday that Chelsea will look to get rid of Kepa for good in the summer window.
It is understood that the 29-year-old would prefer to stay at Real Madrid, but they’re not planning to sign him on a permanent basis right now.
Phillips adds that some other clubs in Spain have registered interest in the Chelsea-owned keeper. Also, clubs in Saudi Arabia have already signalled their interest as well.
In addition, Chelsea want to raise at least £25 million for the player’s sale as they start to take early enquiries.
Chelsea want £25m for Kepa Arrizabalaga
Speaking via AS back in October, Kepa shared that he had no hesitation about leaving Chelsea last summer and joining Madrid on loan. It doesn’t look like he’s done enough to carve out a long-term future with the La Liga giants, though.
We’d certainly be very surprised to ever see him back playing in Chelsea colours again, but can the club find a suitable buyer in the summer?
The Blues paid a mammoth £71 million (BBC) back in 2018 to sign Kepa from Athletic Bilbao. Despite a few highs in west London, his deal has to go down as one of the club’s worst in their histotry in terms of value for money.