La Liga champions Real Madrid are reportedly open to signing Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in a swap deal involving Andriy Lunin in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Andriy Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga might switch sides in the summer transfer window. Real Madrid and Chelsea are discussing a swap deal involving the two goalkeepers, with Los Blancos valuing Lunin at around €30 million. Meanwhile, Kepa’s heart is set on joining the reigning La Liga champions.
Andriy Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga: The situation
Andriy Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga shared the Real Madrid dressing room last season, with the latter joining Los Blancos on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea after Thibaut Courtois picked up a long-term knee injury before the 2023/24 campaign kicked off.
Kepa began the 2023/24 season as the first-choice goalkeeper and made his mark in the first few weeks. However, an untimely injury ruined his campaign, as Lunin stepped up and nailed the spot between the sticks with several top-class performances. The Ukrainian international kept 12 clean sheets in 31 appearances across all competitions while conceding 32 goals.
Lunin’s performances relegated Kepa to the bench for most of the 2023/24 campaign, and he has returned to Chelsea after the loan spell ended. However, the 29-year-old is keen on returning to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer transfer window, with recent reports claiming he is ready to snub other offers to rejoin Real Madrid.
Swap deal on the horizon?
Recent reports have claimed that Chelsea might offer Kepa Arrizabalaga in the deal to sign Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid. The Ukrainian international features on Chelsea’s radar, with the West London club scouring the market for a new goalkeeper after Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic failed to convince the decision-makers at Stamford Bridge.
The latest update has revealed that Real Madrid will approve a potential swap deal involving Lunin and Kepa. The reigning La Liga champions value the Ukrainian international at around €30 million, although they might not recoup much from the exchange with Chelsea.
Real Madrid’s stance on a swap deal boosts Chelsea’s prospects of landing Lunin without breaking the bank. Meanwhile, Los Blancos can offload a wantaway player in the final 12 months of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu. It will be interesting to see if an exchange arrangement sees the light of day.
