Chelsea reject bid from Al Ittihad for 29-year-old star - Reports
Chelsea have reportedly rejected a bid from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad for their goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Reputed journalist David Ornstein claimed that the Blues are still negotiating with Al Ittihad and other interested clubs.
The Spain international will likely be on his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer, with only a year left on his current contract. Chelsea will not want him to wait for his deal to expire and walk away for free in the summer of 2025.
Kepa is out of favor at Chelsea and spent the entirety of the 2023-24 season on loan at Real Madrid. However, it wasn't a fruitful spell for the shot-stopper, who made just five appearances across competitions for Los Blancos in 2024.
Moreover, Chelsea already have two goalkeepers - Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic - fighting for minutes. Both also have long-term deals in place with the Blues.
So it would serve Kepa well to look for opportunities elsewhere. He joined Chelsea in the summer of 2018 for a reported fee of €80 million from Athletic Bilbao. The keeper has made 163 appearances across competitions for the English giants, keeping 59 clean sheets.
Chelsea and Arsenal have shown an interest in signing Real Madrid goalkeeper - Reports
As per The Boot Room, Arsenal and Chelsea, among other Premier League sides, have shown an interest in signing Andriy Lunin (via One Football). According to the report, Manchester City and Liverpool are also taking a look at the Real Madrid shot-stopper.
The Ukraine international made his mark in the 2023-24 season after Thibaut Courtois missed most of the campaign due to injury. With the Belgian now returning to full fitness, there have been suggestions that Lunin could be headed out of the Bernabeu in search of regular first-team football.
However, Arsenal, at the moment, look settled with David Raya in between the sticks. Meanwhile, there is competition between Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic at Chelsea for minutes. But without a sure-shot starter at Stamford Bridge, there may be an opportunity for Lunin to move there and become the first choice.
On top of that, the Ukraine international has only a year left on his Real Madrid contract, which could prompt the Spanish club to sell him this summer.