Serie A giants Napoli are reportedly in contact with Chelsea regarding their interest in Armando Broja and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Serie A heavyweights SSC Napoli are in talks with Premier League giants Chelsea regarding a double swoop for Armando Broja and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
It is a summer of change at Stamford Bridge as the Todd Boehly management seeks to make an immediate impression since taking over from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. Chelsea have already signed Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly and could yet be in the market for a few more player.
The same can be said of Napoli, who have seen several players leave the club this summer. Among those who have departed are goalkeeper David Ospina and attackers Arkadiusz Milik, Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens. This leaves them short at both ends of the pitch, meaning there is still work to be done in the transfer market.
The Partenopei have earmarked Broja and Kepa to fill the voids in the senior squad. The former is coming off the back of an impressive season-long loan at Southampton where he made his mark on one and all with his performances.
Just 20, Broja has the world at his feet and can develop into a reliable goalscorer in the years to come. Given his technical ability and intelligence, the Albanian international would be an excellent fit in Serie A. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is, however, keen to take a look at the player in pre-season, while West Ham United are pushing to land him for themselves. Napoli certainly have a fight on their hands on this front.
Chelsea are also in need of an infallible goalscorer after parting ways with Romelu Lukaku. Selling Broja will leave them with just Timo Werner and the out-of-favour Michy Batshuayi as choices upfront. While Broja is unlikely to be offered a starting role at Stamford Bridge, selling him without bringing in another player will leave the Blues exposed in terms of squad depth.
The same cannot be said for Kepa, who is at best Chelsea’s second-choice goalkeeper. Edouard Mendy is the automatic choice in goal for Tuchel, and the lack of playing time will impact Kepa’s chances of making the Spanish squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
A move to Napoli will give him a chance to rekindle his career and remind everyone why Chelsea paid a world-record fee for his services in 2018. Chelsea and Napoli have a good relationship and have dealt with each other in recent windows.
The likes of Koulibaly, Jorginho and former boss Maurizio Sarri all moved to Chelsea from the Serie A club, potentially earning some goodwill between negotiations. Whether this is something that can work in Napoli’s favour remains to be seen.
