Reports have emerged indicating that Bayern Munich is in the early stages of discussions with Chelsea to acquire goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. This news comes as the Bundesliga champions prioritize the acquisition of a new goalkeeper during the ongoing summer transfer window.
The urgency for this move has been heightened by the recent departure of Yann Sommer to Inter and the prolonged absence of Manuel Neuer due to a leg injury sustained during a skiing trip in December of the prior year. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
Initially, Bayern Munich had engaged in negotiations with Brentford for the potential signing of David Raya. However, it appears that Raya’s destination will be Arsenal, as the two clubs finalized a substantial £30 million agreement this past Tuesday.
As a result, Bayern Munich has shifted its focus towards other options and has commenced preliminary discussions with Chelsea regarding the prospect of securing Kepa’s services.
Remarkably, it has been disclosed that Thomas Tuchel, the current Chelsea manager, has personally endorsed Kepa as a potential candidate for Bayern Munich’s goalkeeping position. This recommendation carries additional weight due to Tuchel’s prior collaboration with Kepa during their shared time at Chelsea. Under Tuchel’s leadership, Kepa had been supplanted by Edouard Mendy as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Following Mendy’s transfer to the Saudi Pro League earlier this summer, Kepa is anticipated to reclaim his role as Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper for their Premier League opening match against Liverpool. Nevertheless, Kepa now confronts a heightened challenge to maintain his position in the squad, courtesy of the recent acquisition of Robert Sanchez from Brighton in a £25 million deal.
Kepa’s history with Chelsea traces back to his arrival from Athletic Bilbao in a substantial £71.6 million transaction. Presently, he has two years remaining on his contract, which entitles him to a weekly wage of approximately £190,000. It remains to be seen how the negotiations between Bayern Munich and Chelsea will progress, as the German club seeks to secure a proficient goalkeeper to fortify their ranks.
Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Kepa Arrizabalaga signifies their commitment to strengthening their goalkeeping contingent. The discussions with Chelsea, facilitated by the recommendation of Thomas Tuchel, reflect the strategic maneuvers of both clubs as they navigate the intricacies of the summer transfer window. The outcome of these negotiations will undoubtedly have a ripple effect on the landscape of European football. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.
