Kepa Arrizabalaga keen on a permanent move to Real Madrid

• Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Real Madrid from Chelsea on a loan deal in the summer
• The Spaniard was signed as a cover for Thibaut Courtois who picked up an ACL injury in the summer
• The goalkeeper is interested in a permanent move to Madrid from London

Kepa Arrizabalaga has reaffirmed his desire to secure a permanent transfer to Real Madrid from Chelsea, expressing uncertainty about the realization of his wish. The Spanish goalkeeper opted to depart from the Blues during the summer transfer window, following the club’s acquisition of compatriot Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Amid interest from Bayern Munich, managed by former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who were seeking cover for the injured Manuel Neuer, Kepa’s fate took a turn when an ACL injury to Thibaut Courtois prompted Real Madrid to actively pursue a new goalkeeper, ultimately clinching the signing of Kepa.

Having initially joined Real Madrid on a loan basis in August, Kepa disclosed his hopes that the move would culminate in a permanent transfer by the summer of 2024.

Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea in summer. | PHOTO: TEAMtalk |

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In the lead-up to Real Madrid’s 2-1 triumph against Braga in the Champions League group stage, Kepa shared his positive experiences at the Santiago Bernabeu and addressed inquiries regarding potential discussions concerning a future transfer. He emphasized the team’s strong start to the season, acknowledging that assessments of his performance would only be made at the conclusion of the campaign.

While expressing his desire to continue his journey with Real Madrid, Kepa clarified that negotiations or discussions regarding a permanent move had not commenced, citing the team’s current focus on their demanding schedule as the reason for the lack of substantial talks.

Real Madrid currently leads La Liga, having accumulated 25 points from their first 10 games, conceding a total of seven goals in domestic competitions thus far. Kepa has contributed five clean sheets across all competitions for Los Blancos during this period.

Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is poised for a challenging encounter as they prepare to face Barcelona in the highly anticipated El Clasico on Saturday afternoon, a significant test that will undoubtedly provide an opportunity to showcase the team’s mettle.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s season under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino has yet to hit its stride, with the team currently positioned in 10th place in the Premier League standings. The team’s most recent performance saw them relinquish a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with London rivals Arsenal, reflecting the ongoing challenges the club is facing in the early stages of the season.