Newcastle among ‘host’ of clubs eyeing move for £72m Chelsea man
Newcastle United and a ‘host of La Liga clubs’ are interested in signing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Spanish international signed for the Premier League club in 2018 for £72m, setting a record transfer fee for a goalkeeper.
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He has endured a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge having made numerous high-profile errors.
This prompted former manager Frank Lampard to bring in Edouard Mendy, who has been excellent since joining from Stade Rennes in September 2020.
Kepa has improved this season, however, playing every minute in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup campaign.
With Mendy on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal, the former Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper stepped in and performed well during his team-mate’s absence.
Moving above Mendy in the pecking order under Thomas Tuchel seems unlikely, meaning Kepa could move on in the summer as he seeks regular playing time.
According to the Daily Star, Newcastle is a potential destination for the Spain goalkeeper.
Numerous La Liga clubs – including Atletico Madrid – are also interested in signing Kepa.
Chelsea reportedly want around £50m for the 27-year-old and it is understood that they are willing to negotiate a loan with an obligation to buy.
Meanwhile, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has heaped praise on Joelinton’s transformation from a misfiring striker to a box-to-box midfielder.
Joelinton joined as a No.9 before Howe decided to pull the Brazilian into midfield, where he has been excellent for the Geordies.
“The biggest compliment I can pay him is that he hasn’t made it look difficult and hasn’t required too much information from me,” said Howe.
“He absorbs the information quickly and is able to deliver. There’s been no sense of us carrying him defensively, far from it.
“Naturally, he has an attacking eye, he takes up some really good positions under pressure, in tight areas he’s been very, very good.
“We need him to score from that position and he was the man who got that first goal for us. Hopefully he can get many more arriving late in the box.”
