Kepa Arrizabalaga’s plan is to wait for Real Madrid according to Fabrizio Romano, as the Blues look to offload the goalkeeper this summer.
It’s been a busy window so far with six new faces coming through the doors at Stamford Bridge as the club prepare to head off on their pre-season tour of America on Monday.
It’s not all about incomings and Chelsea are looking to offload a number of players including Arrizabalaga, Romelu Lukaku and Armando Broja, but progress on departures has been slow so far.
Arrizabalaga waiting for Real Madrid
The Spaniard spent last season on loan in the Spanish capital where he made 20 appearances and won La Liga and the Champions League, but lost his place to Andriy Lunin and didn’t get it back.
The 29-year-old has one year left on his contract and the Blues are looking to move him on this summer, but he won’t be joining Saudi side Al-Ittihad after they ended their interest in him.
However, Romano has provided an update on Arrizabalaga’s plans and has said he’s waiting on Real Madrid.
He took to X.com and said:
“More on Kepa. His plan to wait for Real Madrid is clear and decided, based on what will happen with Lunin’s exit. Ancelotti and his staff appreciated Kepa as player but also as top professional last season, never complaining. Real could bring him back if Lunin leaves.”
⚪️🇪🇸 More on Kepa. His plan to wait for Real Madrid is clear and decided, based on what will happen with Lunin’s exit.
Ancelotti and his staff appreciated Kepa as player but also as top professional last season, never complaining.
Real could bring him back if Lunin leaves. pic.twitter.com/z8fbMDKzQd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2024
Chelsea made Arrizabalaga the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when they paid Athletic Bilbao £71.6m for him back in 2018.
Arrizabalaga’s time at Stamford Bridge won’t go down as a success despite some good performances, and he’s won the Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup with the Blues.
The Spain international has almost certainly played his last game for the club, but it’s unclear what sort of fee Chelsea are expecting.
The Blues are also in the market for a new goalkeeper and they have been linked with moves for Filip Jorgensen, James Trafford and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
