Napoli inches closer to finding an agreement with Chelsea for unwanted keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who remains desperate for regular game time.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli and Chelsea are getting closer to finding an agreement for Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Italian giants are keen on a loan move, with the Blues set to cover most of the Spaniard’s wages for next season.
Chelsea have endured plenty of problems signing new players in this window, and there are several issues to be addressed in the squad. Many of the club’s players, including Kepa, are seemingly unhappy to spend plenty of time on the bench and are looking for a way out.
Chelsea have the £71 million goalkeeper regularly warming the bench with Edouard Mendy being the undisputed first-choice between the sticks. The situation has not been ideal for Arrizabalaga, who harbours hopes of getting back into Luis Enrique’s Spain squad ahead of the World Cup.
Thus, an exit from Stamford Bridge has been mooted for the Spaniard as he looks to get his career back on track. Napoli have been interested in Arrizabalaga this summer, and talks have been ongoing between the two clubs to find a solution. The Italian giants need a new keeper after the departure of David Ospina, who joined Al-Nassr.
The Italians have Alex Meret, who has been offered a new deal, although the keeper is stalling signing the agreement as he waits on further moves by the club. Meret is not an automatic starter between the sticks, having spent the previous season sharing game-time with Ospina.
However, with Arrizabalaga keen and willing to take a pay cut to join Napoli and close to completing a move, the first-choice debate could end with the Spaniard likely to be selected ahead of Meret. Napoli are trying to find a loan agreement with Chelsea, with the Blues reportedly paying three-quarters of the the 27-year-old Spaniard’s salary next season.
Chelsea also want two bonus payments worth €1.5 million, which Napoli still are negotiating. But, overall, the agreement to take the Spaniard on loan seems to be getting closer and soon, Arrizabalaga could be playing in Serie A. As for Chelsea, they will likely be left with Marcus Bettinelli as their second-choice keeper behind Mendy.
