Chelsea ‘eye’ surprise move for ex-Manchester United goalkeeper after Kepa to Real Madrid is confirmed

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has sealed a sensational loan move to Spanish giants Real Madrid after being approached earlier in the week to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid have been in the market trying to sort a replacement for first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who has been ruled out for almost 11 months with an ACL injury. Andriy Lunin is unfancied by Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff.

Madrid have looked at several goalkeepers for the stop-gap job including Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris and Yassine Bounou, but it is the 28-year-old goalkeeper who has been considered for the role.

Chelsea have been left now looking for another goalkeeper with former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea amongst the early front runners.

LondonWorld sources Kepa will immediately fly out to Madrid in the next 48 hours making his involvement in the Chelsea vs Liverpool tomorrow almost impossible at this stage.

Chelsea signed Robert Sanchez last week to provide competition for Kepa but as things stand, he will likely be in post for the Premier League opener against Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino initially confirmed the 28-year-old was in line to start against Liverpool: “It’s going to be very good competition. We needed to sign another [goalkeeper]. The club followed him for a long time and it was a good opportunity for the club to sign him, and a good challenge for Kepa.

“Kepa is, [after] three, four weeks working with us, a little bit ahead of him. Like in all different players, it is a challenge for them to keep their place if they play on Sunday.”

Last season Kepa wrestled back his number-one spot from Edouard Mendy and won the Save of the Season thanks to his brilliant stop against Aston Villa’s John McGinn. He beat competition from Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Newcastle’s Nick Pope.