Real Madrid is said to be looking to turn Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan contract into a permanent purchase contract. Arrizabalaga joined Real Madrid in the summer on a season-long loan, after Los Blancos’ No. 1 goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered a torn ligament.
He has been Carlo Ancelotti’s goalkeeper ever since, helping his new side to top spot in La Liga and making a positive start to their Champions League campaign as they look to reclaim the trophy.
This move made Chelsea quite confused last summer. After all, they spent more than 30 million pounds to sign Robert Sanchez from Brighton and put their trust in him as the official goalkeeper.
Kepa wants to stay at Real.
If Arrizabalaga moves to Madrid, The Sun reports that the club would not be willing to pay more than £17.5 million. It means Chelsea will lose more than 50 million pounds after spending 71.6 million pounds to buy him.
Mail Sport said the goalkeeper has made it clear that he wants to stay in Madrid longer than just this season, after having a “rosy” start in the Spanish capital. It is reported that Real Madrid will offer reserve goalkeeper Andriy Lunin as part of the exchange to help push the deal through.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper said: “I can say that it has been a very positive two months. We have started the season well. Although it is a long season, we are on the right track. But I also know all the scores.” for my performance this season will be released at the end of the season.
I still hope to stay. However, we haven’t talked about that or negotiated anything. It’s only October and we’re focusing on a busy competition schedule.”
However, it is not easy for Kepa to be satisfied.
Arrizabalaga had a bad time playing for Chelsea, losing the number 1 position to Edouard Mendy despite being the most expensive goalkeeper of all time. He seems to have regained his position and confidence. But then Kepa joined Real Madrid before being able to play a match for new Blues coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took over at the start of this season.
It will be difficult for him to regain the number 1 position at The Blues, when Sanchez is impressing and is part of the board’s policy to plan Chelsea’s future. And Sanchez is only 25 years old.
But things are not easy in Madrid either. Despite his positive start to the season, Courtois will be keen to reclaim his place in the team. With the success that the Belgian goalkeeper has helped bring to the club, Arrizabalaga will have to fight hard to keep his place in Real’s starting eleven.
Dang Nguyen | 09:45 October 31, 2023
