Transfer News: Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan move to Napoli getting closer
According to Corriere dello Sport via Chels HQ (h/t football.london), Kepa Arrizabalaga could be on his way to Napoli from Chelsea. The report adds that a final, decisive meeting will take place today to finalise the goalkeeper’s move.
The 27-year-old Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea. Having arrived at the club in 2018 from Athletic Bilbao, the shot-stopper has failed to cement his place.
A regular player once, he was demoted to the backup position after a series of silly mistakes and a dip in form. The Blues bought Edouard Mendy in 2020 to replace the Spaniard in between the sticks.
Mendy, on the other hand, has established himself as the undisputed number one choice at Stamford Bridge. Thomas Tuchel does not trust the Spaniard so much as evident from the fact that he gave him only four starts in the Premier League last season.
The 27-year-old is tired of having to play second fiddle to Mendy and could be on his way to Italy this summer. Napoli have offered him an escape route by enquiring about taking him on loan. The process has been going on for some time, but looks like the player could now leave.
Kepa will have to fight for a place against Alex Meret at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. The Italian has been at the club since 2019 and is their first-choice keeper. The Spaniard can expect healthy competition from him.
His potential departure will leave Tuchel with another headache. Marcus Bettinelli will be the only keeper left in the first team. The 30-year-old will be expected to step up in case of an emergency. The Blues have signed Gabriel Slonina from MLS side Chicago Fire, but he will join the club in January after completing the season.
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Tuchel and fans will hope that Kepa can find his form again and challenge Mendy for a spot in the team. As for the player himself, he will hope to get some more playing time, if he wishes to travel for the World Cup in November.