Transfer Centre

Kepa Arrizabalaga 'worried Real Madrid will send him back to Chelsea'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 12 January 2024

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga reportedly has concerns that Real Madrid will send him back to Chelsea at the conclusion of his loan spell at the Bernabeu.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is reportedly concerned that Real Madrid will not sign him on a permanent basis in the summer.

Throughout pre-season, Arrizabalaga appeared to cement himself as first choice for Chelsea, the plan being that he would start the first Premier League game against Liverpool.

However, in the days beforehand, Thibaut Courtois suffered a serious knee injury, leading to Real swiftly moving to sign Arrizabalaga on a straight loan deal for the campaign.

Since his arrival, the 29-year-old has made no secret of his desire to remain at the Bernabeu in the long term, with there being an assumption that a deal could be negotiated with his parent club.

Arrizabalaga has just 18 months remaining on his seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are now willing to cash in on his signature.

Kepa Arrizabalaga in action for Re © Reuters

In his favour is the 17 starts that he has been given by Carlo Ancelotti, helping Los Blancos top the La Liga standings along with Girona and finish top of their Champions League group.

Nevertheless, Arrizabalaga has sometimes looked less than secure between the sticks, making an error in the recent 5-3 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana.

Furthermore, he has just four outings to his name since the start of November, with Ancelotti beginning to show preference to Ukrainian Andriy Lunin.

According to The Sun, it has led to Arrizabalaga to think that a permanent switch to Real is becoming less likely.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti on January 3, 2024 © Reuters

Given his willingness to remain in his homeland, Arrizabalaga may be willing to accept reduced terms in comparison to his lucrative deal with Chelsea.

That said, providing that Courtois is able to prove his fitness later in 2024, Real would naturally be prepared to part ways with one of Arrizabalaga or Lunin.

While Lunin has only made 27 appearances since arriving in 2020, 10 of those outings have been made since the middle of August, an indication that he is beginning to live up to his potential.

The 24-year-old only has 18 months remaining on his contract, leaving Real in a position where they will have to act with a contract renewal or contemplate a sale.