Chelsea could lose as much as £60million in the upcoming transfer window, with Kepa Arrizabalaga nearing an exit from Stamford Bridge. The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the Blues lately having become second fiddle in west London.
Kepa, who joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a record-breaking £72million under Maurizio Sarri's reign, has struggled to warrant his eye-watering price tag despite having enjoyed glimpses of heroism in recent months. He has featured just 29 times for the Blues since Edouard Mendy stole the limelight two years ago, and reports have hinted that the Spaniard has grown impatient.
Widespread reports have linked Kepa with a move to Lazio amid claims that the out-of-favour goalkeeper wants to reunite with his former boss. Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, as quoted via LazioNews, have reported that the Chelsea shot-stopper has personally called Sarri to engineer a Serie A switch.
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The report claims that Kepa would be willing to significantly reduce his wage packet in order to ensure his departure from west London. However, the Spaniard is valued at around £12million by CIES Football Observatory, meaning that Chelsea could be hit with a £60million loss on their record-breaking investment.
Though, thankfully for Thomas Tuchel who is plotting a big summer transfer window, the consortium led by Todd Bohely are expected to 'push for A-list signings' to mark a new era at Stamford Bridge, according to the MailOnline. With the new ownership group eager to bolster the Blues' armoury, The Telegraph indicate that, after player sales are taken into account, Tuchel is set to have £200million at his disposal to strengthen his side.
And, as part of the summer overhaul, Chelsea seem to have already found their replacement for Kepa. Chelsea will renew their efforts to sign Gabriel Slonina this summer – football.london understands.
A deal for the Chicago Fire goalkeeper broke down earlier this year following the sanctioning of Roman Abramovich. The 18-year-old established himself as Fire's first-choice stopper during the 2021 campaign and has started each of their 13 MLS matches so far this term.
It's understood Chelsea sounded out a move for Slonina in February, and there was confidence that a deal could be struck for the teenager, who would have remained with Fire until the end of the current season and potentially even for the 2023 campaign.
The next step Slonina takes in his career is an important one, especially if he is to fulfil his ambition of becoming the best in his position in the world game. "I strive to want to be the greatest goalkeeper in the world," Slonina told ESPN's Futbol Americas in November. So I think I'm just going to keep putting in that work, making sure I take the right steps toward that direction every single day."
