Chelsea eye Premier League winner to replace Kepa as Romano reveals key detail in Madrid move
Chelsea are interested in signing former Leicester City captain Kasper Schmeichel as Kepa Arrizabalaga edges closer to joining Real Madrid, according to reports.
The Blues recently bought Robert Sanchez from Brighton to provide competition for Kepa.
However, Real Madrid No. 1 Thibaut Courtois – formerly of Chelsea – suffered a serious knee injury in training this week and will miss a large chunk of 2023/24.
This called Carlo Ancelotti into unexpected action in the transfer market with a new goalkeeper now a crucial priority.
Ukrainian shot-stopper Andriy Lunin started in goal as Los Blancos kicked off their La Liga campaign with an impressive 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Lunin will not be Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper this season, however, with a deal to sign Kepa from Chelsea all but complete.
Kepa had been in talks with Bayern Munich as they chase a new goalkeeper but the chance to join Madrid was apparently too good to turn down.
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Fabrizio Romano said on Saturday evening that an agreement has been reached and the Spanish international has said goodbye to his Blues teammates.
And on Sunday morning, the Italian journalist confirmed the key detail that there is no buy option included as Kepa joins the La Liga giants on a season-long loan deal.
Having loaned out Gabriel Slonina, Chelsea are now back in the market for a goalkeeper.
And Nice shot-stopper Schmeichel has emerged as a surprise replacement for Kepa.
The experienced Dane left Leicester last summer and his absence played a big part in the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship.
According to The Guardian, Chelsea view Schmeichel as an ideal player to replace Kepa.
This report also confirms Kepa’s impending move to the Bernabeu. It is noted the 28-year-old ‘favours’ a return to Spain over reuniting with Thomas Tuchel in Munich.
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs adds that Schmeichel is ‘under consideration’ at Stamford Bridge.
At 36 years of age, Chelsea will hardly have to break the bank to sign the Leicester legend.
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