Kepa Arrizabalaga could still be an option for Real Madrid, but a potential move for the Spaniard is complicated according to reports.
Arrizabalaga spent last season on loan at the La Liga outfit and currently has just a year left on his contract, with the Blues keen to find a new home for him.
Chelsea made the now 29-year-old the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when they paid £71.6m to Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2018 having missed out on Alisson as a replacement for Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid still an option for Arrizabalaga
Arrizabalaga has divided opinion amongst Chelsea fans and despite some impressive performances over the years it’s clear his time at Stamford Bridge is over.
The Blues signalled their intent for life without the Spaniard when they signed Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic last summer.
An ACL injury to former star Courtois paved the way for Arrizabalaga to join Los Blancos on loan as a replacement for the Belgian.
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Having started the season as Carlo Ancelotti’s number one, he lost his place to Ukrainian shot stopper Andriy Lunin and didn’t win it back from the 25-year-old.
Arrizabalaga made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish giants, keeping nine clean sheets as they won a La Liga and Champions League double.
The former Bilbao man is set to leave Chelsea this summer and The Athletic have reported Madrid could still be an option despite having said his goodbyes, but a deal is said to be complicated.
The report adds that Lunin’s contract extension is now up in the air meaning there could be an opening for Arrizabalaga to return to the Spanish capital.
Some reports have suggested there’s an offer on the table for the goalkeeper from Saudi side Al-Ittihad, and Arrizabalaga wasn’t pictured in the first day of Chelsea’s pre-season training at Cobham on Monday.
Chelsea are unlikely to get a huge fee for the keeper, but more importantly his high wages will be off the books and can be then be reinvested elsewhere.
