Chelsea may be forced to bring back forgotten man despite stay-at-home orders
Kepa Arrizabalaga may do exactly what he doesn’t want to do, and that is return to Chelsea next summer.
In August 2018, the Spaniard moved from Athletic Bilbao to Stamford Bridge for a fee of £72m, making him the most expensive player in history.
But after five years of inconsistency and failing to secure a regular place in the first team, the 29-year-old moved to Madrid on a temporary deal last summer, somewhat against the wishes of manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has decided to transfer Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after he sustained a cruciate ligament injury and will miss most of the current 2023/24 season.
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Chelsea themselves brought in Roberto Sanchez from Brighton after Edouard Mendy left for Saudi Arabia.
His rental contract ends next summer, but when asked by El Chiringuito TV in October if he liked the extended contract, he replied flatly: “Yes, I’m very happy here.
” Who wouldn’t want to stay at Real Madrid?
He led Real to the top of La Liga at Christmas, but according to Spanish media outlet AS, his ambition to remain in Spain next season will not come true.
Instead, he is now likely to return to Chelsea, where manager Pochettino hopes to compete with Sanchez for selection.
He is under contract with the London club until 2025, which will pose a dilemma for the Argentine manager.
Unless Kepa is offered a new contract and he signs, the club will likely consider selling him after 12 months or risk losing him on a free transfer.