Kepa Arrizabalaga set to join Real Madrid on loan from Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga has turned down the chance to join Bayern Munich this summer, instead set to join Real Madrid on loan from Chelsea.
The 28-year-old may have struggled since joining the Blues in the Premier League in 2018, but he has attracted the interest of two of the world’s biggest clubs during this transfer window.
The Spain international was close to agreeing a loan switch to Bayern, but Spanish publication Marca reports that Real Madrid have swooped and will take him on a season-long deal instead.
Real Madrid in Need of a New Goalkeeper
The Spanish giants are in need of a new goalkeeper after Thibault Courtois suffered a cruciate ligament injury during a training session on Thursday.
Real Madrid were linked with a move for free agent David De Gea after he left Manchester United, but they are instead bringing in the Chelsea man on a short-term deal.
Competition for Kepa
The Blues have brought in Robert Sanchez from Brighton this summer, who was expected to be competition for Kepa, but it now seems that the new arrival will go straight in as first choice with the gloves.
Speaking about having the pair of Spain internationals at his disposal, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said Kepa was in front of Sanchez, but that appears to have changed already.
“It’s going to be very good competition. We needed to sign another [goalkeeper]. The club followed him for a long time and it was a good opportunity for the club to sign him, and a good challenge for Kepa,” said Pochettino on Friday.
Kepa’s Future
Kepa’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain, with his loan move to Real Madrid likely to be his last chance to prove himself at the highest level. If he can impress during his time in Spain, he may yet have a future at Stamford Bridge.
For now, though, Kepa is heading back to his homeland and will be hoping to make an impact at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
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