Real Madrid Nears Loan Deal for Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga Amidst Courtois Injury Setback
Real Madrid’s meticulously planned summer endeavors have been thrown into disarray in the wake of Thibaut Courtois’ ACL injury. Given the gravity and duration of such an injury, it is increasingly likely that the Belgian goalkeeper will be sidelined for the entire 2023/24 season, posing a significant challenge for the club.
The void left by Courtois has spurred a flurry of goalkeeper-related speculations, with notable names like David de Gea, Yassine Bounou, and Illan Meslier dominating discussions.
Surprisingly, the spotlight appears to be converging on a Chelsea player – Kepa Arrizabalaga. As reported by Relevo, Real Madrid has struck a deal with Kepa, who is poised to make a loan move from Chelsea. The negotiations between the two clubs are on the cusp of completion and might finalize within a matter of hours.
This is not the first instance of Real Madrid’s interest in Kepa. Back in early 2018, he was on the verge of joining the club, although the move ultimately did not materialize. Instead, Kepa made a record-breaking transfer to Chelsea in the summer of 2018, commanding a fee of approximately €80 million.
However, his tenure at Stamford Bridge has been less illustrious than anticipated. Despite his previous promising performances at Athletic Bilbao, Kepa has struggled to realize his world-class potential during his five-year stint at Chelsea. The recent acquisition of Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion by Chelsea might pave the way for Kepa’s departure under suitable terms.
Notably, Kepa does possess certain weaknesses, particularly in handling long-range shots and maintaining a commanding presence in the penalty area. Nevertheless, he boasts excellent shot-stopping abilities. Given his playing style, Kepa seems more attuned to La Liga than the Premier League, a factor that aligns with his roots at Athletic Bilbao and suggests a relatively smooth transition.
