Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is currently on loan at Real Madrid, but the Blues are open to sell him to Athletic Club.
Kepa Arrizabalaga does not have a future at Stamford Bridge, and he is likely to be moved on permanently in the summer. A report from Defensa Central has claimed that Chelsea could sell the Spanish international, valued at €30 million, to his former club Athletic Club in 2024.
Kepa was regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world during his time at San Mames, and a return to his boyhood club could be ideal for him. Apparently, the Blues are prepared to sell him for a fee of €30 million, and it will be interesting to see if Athletic Club are willing to bring him back.
Chelsea paid a world record fee for a goalkeeper when they signed Kepa from Athletic Club Bilbao. But he has proven to be a disappointing acquisition. Initially, he struggled to hold down a regular starting spot because of his error-prone performances, and Mauricio Pochettino has now chosen to replace him with Robert Sanchez.
Real Madrid signed the player on loan at the start of the season following the injury to Thibaut Courtois. But they are unlikely to keep him for the long term due to a difference in their valuation to Chelsea’s. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
The Spanish goalkeeper is at the peak of his powers right now, and he needs to join a club where he will play regular first-team football. A return to Athletic Club might not be ideal for him. They have Unai Simon at their disposal, and he has been outstanding for them. He is likely to be the first-choice goalkeeper at the Basque outfit, and Kepa will likely be a backup option.
It is evident that Chelsea are prepared to incur heavy losses on the player and let him leave for cheap in the coming months. It remains to be seen whether they can find a potential suitor for the player now. If he manages to impress with Real Madrid during his loan spell, he might just be able to secure a good move for himself in the summer.
