Barcelona are reportedly lining up Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as a potential replacement for current first-choice stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Barcelona are considering a summer swoop for Chelsea’s backup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as a possible option to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Kepa has been with Chelsea since 2018 when he made the switch from La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao. His time at Stamford Bridge, however, has been rocky at best. From his infamous argument with Maurizio Sarri to getting axed by Frank Lampard, the Spaniard has had it rough with the Blues.
The signing of Edouard Mendy last year saw him become the second-choice goalkeeper and while he has not featured regularly since, the arrival of Thomas Tuchel has brought about a great deal of improvement in his performances, with Kepa playing a key role in Chelsea’s UEFA Super Cup triumph earlier this year.
However, at 27, with the World Cup next year, it would only be natural for him to be wanting to play regularly at the highest level in order to stake a claim for the Spain squad. And Barcelona could be willing to offer him a way out next summer, if the aforementioned report is something to go by.
Barcelona have had Marc-Andre ter Stegen as their main man in goal for years now. The German international has been with the Catalans since 2014 and has racked up nearly 300 appearances. In fact, he even signed a new contract with the club last year, extending his stay at Camp Nou till the summer of 2025.
However, it has since been claimed that Barcelona might look to offload the 29-year-old in the near future, considering the difficult financial situation that the club find themselves in. And, it seems like alternatives are already being drawn up. Former La Masia product Andre Onana, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, is very much on the radars of the Blaugrana.
In addition, they are also said to be looking Paris Saint-Germain’s Italian shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Kepa Arrizabalaga also now emerging as a transfer target as well. The 27-year-old’s contract with Chelsea runs till the summer of 2025. But with his situation, there could be a chance that the Blues agree to do a deal for a lower fee.
It remains to be seen if Barcelona’s interest in the Spanish international develops into something significant over the next few months. Any move, however, will only take place if ter Stegen leaves Camp Nou.
