Lazio will attempt to untie Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea during the winter transfer window, know Corriere dello Sport. The goalkeeper was also high on the Italian club’s wish list this summer, but then preferred a longer stay in London. Kepa is to be reunited in Rome with Maurizio Sarri, with whom he previously worked at Chelsea.
At Lazio they have been struggling with a goalkeeper problem for quite some time. At the moment Pepe Reine enjoys the confidence, but the Spaniard will turn forty next year and will run out of his contract next summer. That contract will be automatically extended by a year if Lazio qualifies for the Europa League. Reina herself is far from willing to stop and would like to add an extra year. Second goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, who will also run out of his contract next summer, is not considered good enough to succeed Reina.
And so Lazio has set its sights on the arrival of Kepa. The Spaniard still enjoyed the confidence at Chelsea in his first two seasons, but has had to recognize his superior in Edouard Mendy since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel. Kepa, who has a contract until mid-2025, has to settle for a reserve goalkeeper role and has only played once in the Premier League so far this season. He also kept the Super Cup game against Villarreal and made his appearance in the League Cup against Aston Villa.
At Chelsea, they are struggling with the immense amount paid in 2018 for the eleven-time Spanish international. Kepa came over from Athletic Club for a record amount of eighty million euros, but has barely yielded anything to the club. In addition, his salary could be a stumbling block for Lazio. Kepa earns about eight million euros on an annual basis from Chelsea and Chelsea must continue to pay half of that during a loan period. In the meantime, Chelsea hopes to be able to sell the Bask definitively.
Related
More sports news