Real Madrid News
Just in: Chelsea’s 28-year-old ace on the verge of joining Real Madrid
In a huge development, Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sport Germany is reporting that Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is on the verge of signing for Real Madrid after his move to Bayern Munich fell through.
Kepa, 28, who is the first-choice goalkeeper at Chelsea heading into the new season, had been linked heavily with a move to Bayern Munich.
In fact, it had been suggested that the transfer was close to being complicated, which is why Real Madrid saw his incorporation as difficult amidst their search for a replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois.
Kepa rejects Bayern, on his way to Madrid
However, there appears to have been a huge twist in the tale as Kepa is now poised to sign for Real Madrid after rejecting Bayern.
GOAL.com’s Javier Birlanga reports that Chelsea have indeed sent an offer for Kepa, and he is studying it, along with that of Bayern.
But the report from Plettenberg claims that the Bavarian giants felt that the 28-year-old Spaniard was not completely convinced about a move to Germany.
And since there was never an agreement in place, the Chelsea ace is close to rejecting the German champions and will instead be arriving in Madrid.
Bayern Munich are understood to be already informed of the development.
Kepa was close to signing for Madrid in the past
Only a while ago we reported that Kepa could have joined Real Madrid way back in 2018 from Athletic Club. However, Zinedine Zidane ended up blocking the move.
In the summer later that year, Los Blancos signed Courtois from Chelsea, with Kepa moving to Stamford Bridge to replace the Belgian international in a mammoth £72 million deal.
Now, once again, he is set to move clubs to replace Courtois, but at Real Madrid.
It will be interesting to see as to what the nature of the deal will be given that the Merengues’ first-choice goalkeeper will return from his injury next year.
So, Real Madrid could be looking at a possible loan deal for Kepa, or if it is a permanent transfer, there would be a battle for the starting spot next season.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
