Chelsea Reportedly Open to Letting Kepa Arrizabalaga Join Bayern Munich
Chelsea Football Club is reportedly open to letting goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga join Bayern Munich this month. According to reports, the German champions have opened talks with Chelsea over a potential deal for the Spanish goalkeeper. Bayern Munich has been in search of a new number one goalkeeper all summer, with Yann Sommer being offloaded to Inter and Manuel Neuer still recovering from a leg injury.
Bayern Munich had initially made a move for David Raya from Brentford but backed out due to the asking price. Raya is now set to join Arsenal in a £30 million deal. Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea’s manager, has now turned his attention back to Kepa, whom he had previously dropped in favor of Edouard Mendy during their time together at Stamford Bridge. Tuchel has personally recommended Kepa to Bayern’s recruitment team, leading to initial talks between the clubs.
Despite featuring prominently in pre-season and being well-liked by Mauricio Pochettino, Kepa is reportedly willing to sanction a transfer. Chelsea has already signed Robert Sanchez from Brighton in a £25 million deal and is content with him as the first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming season.
Kepa’s contract with Chelsea has two years remaining, and the club is keen to receive a decent sum for the player who remains the most expensive goalkeeper in football history. Additionally, Chelsea would like to offload Kepa’s £190,000-a-week salary, especially if Sanchez proves himself as the number one goalkeeper. Kepa himself is open to moving to Germany.
If Kepa leaves, Chelsea will target a replacement goalkeeper to provide cover and competition for Sanchez. The club has already identified two potential targets: Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia and Gregor Kobel from Borussia Dortmund.
Pochettino has expressed his satisfaction with Kepa’s commitment and progress in adapting to the coaching staff’s demands. However, Bayern Munich has also enquired about other goalkeepers, including Geronimo Rulli from Ajax and Bounou from Sevilla.
In other news, Chelsea is facing a potential points deduction as the Premier League launches a financial investigation. This comes as a surprise to Gary Neville, who questioned Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to sell Kai Havertz to Arsenal.
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