Todd Boehly may have solved his first transfer problem since his consortium completed their takeover at the end of May. Every expectation is that Romelu Lukaku will return to Inter Milan and the San Siro in the near future following a testing year following his £97.5 million move last summer.
The La Dodgers owner is said to have taken on negotiations himself to manufacture the Belgian's season-long loan deal. The striker is set to take a pay cut to complete the move to the Nerazzurri, with the Blues reported set for a loan fee that could reach up to £10 million.
Following Marina Granovskaia's departure, Boehly has taken on the sporting director role and may have to find a way to repeat his early window magic. Before an issue with Lukaku, the Blues attempted to overcome the vast outlay they spent on Kepa Arrizabalaga.
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While the Spaniard's relationship with Tuchel and the Blues squad has seemed stronger than that of Lukaku, the cognitive dissonance of having the world's most expensive goalkeeper as your second choice remains. Since Edouard Mendy arrived at Stamford Bridge, there has been little choice of the Blues' No.1.
Speaking of Kepa's prospects this summer, Tuchel acknowledged there would need to be a discussion between the parties. He said: "We need to ask him, and we need to be honest with him. And he needs to be honest with us. This is the most important."
In a recent interview with Marca, the Spanish goalkeeper suggested that playing would be his priority. The 27-year-old said: "I have enthusiasm, ambition, desire to start, to enjoy and, above all, to play more. To be more matches on the field of play. In the end, the one who decides is the coach. What you have to give him are the maximum possible reasons for him to choose you. I like to train, do my best in each session, take care of myself and be ready when the coach calls me."
The pending World Cup perhaps adds an added motivation for Kepa to find some playing time too. The former Athletic Bilbao ace has been unable to break into Luis Enrique's squad since becoming the Blues' second option. Kepa realises his position makes it difficult to earn a call-up.
"Before this year and a half, in which I haven't always played for my club, Luis Enrique took me to all the calls, and I know what he likes in goal. He is very clear about it," he said.
"That is what I want. Play more in my club and return to the National Team. But it is perhaps one more question for him. I do tell him that, on a personal level, another of my goals is to return to La Roja. Keep in mind that I have been in the National Team from 17 to 26 years old without ever missing, without knowing what a national team break is at home. Lately, I've had these breaks, and I don't like them."
Much like with Lukaku, Boehly is not burdened by having spent the fee the previous administration did on Kepa, but whether a suitable one can be agreed upon remains to be seen. A loan deal could provide a happy medium for the Blues to earn some money and remove a significant salary from the club's books while perhaps offering some upward movement to players like Nathan Baxter and Jamie Cumming.
However, while there was no doubting Lukaku's inclination to depart Chelsea - that probably solidified the thoughts of Tuchel and Boehly on what should happen to the former Everton start - Kepa's situation is not as simple.
"I am not desperate. In the end, I'm at a great club. I'll talk to the coach, and we'll decide, but with the clear message that I want to play more," the goalkeeper surmised.
However, a split may be best for both parties, even temporarily. That would give the Blues greater flexibility this summer and potentially drive Kepa's value up if he can have a successful loan with three years remaining on his contract.
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