In a surprising turn of events, Chelsea’s goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga who was Bayern Munich bound has signed for Spanish giants Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal. The clubs made this announcement on Monday 14th August.
According to Bein Sports, Real Madrid were in urgent search of a goalkeeper after their Belgian shot-stopper Courtois ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee which will see him miss most of the new season.
Kepa was very close to a move to Bayern Munich but changed his mind last minute for Madrid which is no surprise as he is a Spaniard.
Bayern board chairman, Jan-Christian Dreesen, stated on Sunday that the club was to present Kepa, but the offer from Real Madrid arrived, and he chose the Spanish side.
Kepa is the most expensive keeper in the world, setting the record in 2018 when he joined Chelsea for a fee of €80 million from Athletico Bilbao.
He won the Europa League in his first season at the club. His stay at Chelsea was not all fairytale as he was shifted to second-choice goalkeeper in 2021 when Chelsea bought Edouard Mendy.
Though he got back his first-place spot under English Manager Graham Potter, the incoming new manager Mauricio Pochettino has seen the Club sell Edouard Mendy to Saudi side Al Hali and signed Robert Sanchez from Brighton which signaled a threat to Kepa’s place at the club.
“The Club wishes him well for the season ahead in Madrid, where he will work with former Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti,” the Blues said in a message.
