Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set to snub Bayern Munich and join Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
The Chelsea goalkeeper emerged as a transfer target for the German champions, who are searching for a shot stopper following the news that Manuel Neuer may require further surgery on a skiing injury he suffered last December.
It appeared as if Bayern were the frontrunners to sign Kepa, but Los Blancos have swooped in to scupper a deal. The Spanish club are also in need of a goalkeeper after Thibaut Courtois injured his ACL on the eve of the new campaign.
Real Madrid are working on a season-long deal, according to The Athletic. The 14-time Uefa Champions League winners had been linked with a move for former Manchester United goalie David De Gea and Seville’s Yassine Bounou.
Additionally, transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claims that Bayern believe that “it’s over” for their pursuit of the 28-year-old, despite talks being at an “advanced” stage.
Chelsea spent £25 million to buy Robert Sanchez from Brighton earlier on in the summer transfer window to provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined the Blues in 2018 for £71m, a world-record fee for a goalkeeper.
“Sanchez and Kepa know they are going to fight for the No. 1 position. At the moment, Kepa is a little bit ahead. With time, we will see if Robert is there and can challenge Kepa,” manager Mauricio Pochettino said ahead of the new season.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have ended their approach for Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams. The USA international suffered an injury towards the end of last season which required surgery, keeping him out of action ever since.
Following a medical, Chelsea are ‘concerned’ that Adams’ recovery will take longer than expected, the Daily Mail reports.
