Real Madrid considering move for €80m Chelsea star
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 24 Oct 2023 17:38 BST
- 3 min read
Real Madrid are ‘considering’ signing Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga on a permanent deal in 2024, according to reports in Spain.
Kepa, 29, joined Los Blancos on loan following Thibaut Courtois’ ACL injury in August, which is likely to see him miss the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign.
Chelsea were willing to let Kepa leave the club for the season and the Spaniard has impressed Real Madrid’s hierarchy during his opening few months at the club. He has kept five clean sheets in 10 games for Los Blancos.
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According to Relevo, Real Madrid are now weighing up making a permanent offer for Kepa as Andriy Lunin’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu looks to be coming to an end.
The Ukrainian was initially expected to be given a chance following Courtois’ injury, but Kepa was brought in on loan and he will likely leave the club when his contract expires next summer.
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What has Kepa said?
Real Madrid’s potential desire to sign Kepa permanently will come as music to the Spaniard’s ears given his comments since joining the club on loan.
In September, just weeks after sealing a loan move away from Chelsea, Kepa told COPE: “I felt it was time for a change of scenery. I wanted to stay, but I felt that the project was not the right one.
“When Madrid calls you, everything changes. My signing was closed in just a few hours and a couple of calls.”
Not long after, Kepa, who joined Chelsea for €80m in 2018, then admitted to El Chiringuito TV: “Yes, I’m very happy here. Who doesn’t want to stay at Real Madrid?”
Chelsea signed Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion and Djordje Petrovic from New England Revolution this summer to combat the losses of Edouard Mendy and Kepa, but have been linked with signing a new shot-stopper once again.
Out-of-favour Arsenal ‘keeper Aaron Ramsdale is the latest star to have reportedly attracted interest from the west London club. He has been replaced by David Raya as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper at Arsenal.
