Transfer News: Chelsea flop Kepa Arrizabalaga attracting interest from Lazio
A report by Italian outlet Lazio News (h/t The Sun) mentions that Lazio want to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the summer to replace Pepe Reina.
The former Barcelona goalkeeper is on loan at Lazio from AC Milan, a deal that expires in the summer. And Lazio do not see Thomas Strakosha as a viable replacement for the 38-year-old Spaniard.
Chelsea signed Kepa for a record £71.6million fee in 2018 on a 7-year deal from Athletic Bilbao. But since then, he has failed to impress and is now below summer signing Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea pecking order.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are also interested in getting Kepa’s £150,000-a-week wages off the books. The Spanish international started in the 1-0 defeat to Leicester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Good riddance?
But he has seen starts difficult to come by, as the German gaffer continues to vest his trust in Mendy. However, according to Spanish publication Todofichajes (h/t The Sun), Atletico Madrid could also make a move for Kepa if Jan Oblak leaves.
It seems like Kepa leaving Stamford Bridge would be the best move for all parties. He would hope to see more game time wherever he goes while the club would have a hefty wage packet removed from the books.
Mendy has generally done well at Chelsea and the 29-year-old seems solid enough to hold the fort at the back for the Blues. The 26-year-old Kepa’s departure would not leave a massive void at the club but could raise a potential problem.
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39-year-old Willy Caballero is set to depart once his Chelsea contract ends, effectively leaving the Blues without a No. 2 if Kepa leaves as well. In such a situation, Tuchel would either have to promote someone from the youth team or take a dip in the transfer market.