Kepa Arrizabalaga should have a future at Chelsea after the membership actively triggered a clause in his Bournemouth mortgage deal, in line with a report in Spain.
The Spanish shot-stopper, who stays the costliest goalkeeper in soccer historical past, has not performed for Chelsea since Frank Lampard’s interim spell in 2023. After a season on mortgage at Actual Madrid, which noticed him lose his beginning spot to backup possibility Andriy Lunin, Kepa joined Bournemouth on one other short-term deal in August.
It was reported on the time that Kepa signed a one-year extension to his Chelsea contract earlier than transferring to the south coast, holding him on the west London outfit till June 2026.
Nonetheless, MARCA declare that the Blues needed to set off an possibility within the deal earlier than 31 January to substantiate this extension. Chelsea duly activated this clause, thereby stopping Arrizabalaga from changing into a free agent in the summertime.
This choice might have been a cynical ploy to make sure that they obtain some compensation for the £72m recruit if he’s made obtainable on the market within the low season. Nonetheless, there’s additionally a robust suggestion that Arrizabalaga’s type – and the stark drop-off from Chelsea’s present primary, Robert Sanchez – might open up a spot between the posts at Stamford Bridge.
After one other error-strewn show in defeat to Manchester Metropolis earlier this yr, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirmed the primary public indicators of reservation over the performances of Sanchez. The Spaniard was subsequently dropped for a win over West Ham United final week.
No Premier League participant has made extra errors straight resulting in a objective than Sanchez’s 5. Kepa has solely dedicated one. The revitalised Spaniard additionally boasts the most effective save share throughout all the division and has conceded 21 objectives in 17 appearances for Bournemouth – three fewer than anticipated based mostly on the standard and amount of pictures confronted.
Chelsea had been linked with a late transfer for Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel within the winter window however finally caught with Sanchez and understudy Filip Jorgensen.
The Blues may also have the ability to depend upon 19-year-old Belgian custodian Mike Penders when his £17m transer goes by in June, however there’s each probability that Kepa might discover himself again at Stamford Bridge subsequent season as effectively.
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