Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to offer Chelsea a part-exchange deal to offer a permanent agreement for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spaniard joined the La Liga giants on loan in the summer. However, he has made clear that he wants to extend his stay at the Bernabeu.
Chelsea were keen for Arrizabalaga to stay ahead of the 2023-24 season. But, he insisted on seeking a new challenge. Real Madrid beat European rivals Bayern Munich to a big-money temporary deal.
The 29-year-old has shone in the absence of the injured shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois, who was also snapped up from Stamford Bridge five years ago. Los Blancos have lost just once with Arrizabalaga in goal and want to make his deal permanent.
Real Madrid are ready to offer Kepa a permanent deal:
Chelsea paid £72million to sign the goalkeeper from Atletico Madrid in 2018, incidentally to replace Courtois. However, it is claimed that Madrid are only willing to spend £17.5m.
According to the Sun, the Spanish giants will offer reserve goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to Chelsea in an attempt to sweeten the transfer. Ukrainian Lunin will become the third-choice at Madrid when Courtois returns from a serious knee injury next summer.
Arrizabalaga is keen to stay in the Spanish capital beyond this season. He is reportedly prepared to face a battle for the No 1 shirt with Courtois.Speaking in September, Arrizabalaga said:
“It’s true that [Mauricio] Pochettino wanted me to stay and he told me that I was going to play, that he trusted me. But I thought a change would be good for me. I wanted a change.“[Bayern Munich manager] Thomas Tuchel called me. We were close to going to Munich. 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.
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