Kepa Arrizabalaga is practicing separately from Chelsea’s first-team players after reporting for the start of pre-season at Cobham, sources close to the game’s “most expensive goalkeeper” have confirmed to Mail Sport.
The Blues are prepared to offload the 29-year-old Spaniard, who spent the last season on loan with Real Madrid.
- Bukayo Saka tipped to expose Chelsea star during Euro 2024 final
- Dani Olmo sends transfer message to Man Utd and Chelsea
- Man Utd reason for paying above Joshua Zirkzee’s release clause becomes clear
Several clubs, including those in Saudi Arabia, have shown interest in him this summer.
His future is expected to become clearer within weeks, possibly even days, as discussions continue.
Chelsea paid the highest-ever fee for a goalkeeper when they signed Arrizabalaga for £71.6 million from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.
While the club’s new ownership aims to recover as much of that record expenditure as possible, Arrizabalaga only has one year left on his contract, and it is well known that his future lies away from West London.
Arrizabalaga previously expressed his desire to stay permanently at Real, but he may need to find a new home after spending the second half of last season as a backup to Andrii Lunin and Thibaut Courtois, who started the Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.
He started only once after January and missed out on being called up by Spain for Euro 2024, where they will compete in Sunday’s final against England.
The Saudi Pro League has long been considered an option, with Al Ittihad, who already have Arrizabalaga’s former teammate N’Golo Kante, showing interest.
Chelsea currently have Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic as starting options for Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge, while Marcus Bettinelli and Lucas Bergstrom remain on the club’s roster.
