Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has reportedly been left disappointed in his efforts to sign for Real Madrid permanently.
The 29-year-old quickly swapped Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu in the most recent summer window, after ex-Blues stopper Thibaut Courtois was sidelined with an ACL injury.
Kepa began the campaign as Carlo Ancelotti's first choice in between the sticks, playing in four of their six Champions League group games and enjoying a 10-match streak of successive La Liga appearances.
However, since suffering an adductor injury in November, which sidelined him for a couple of weeks, Kepa has lost his place in the team to Andriy Lunin, making just three appearances in all tournaments in 2024.
The former Athletic Bilbao man has not played for Los Blancos since conceding twice in a 3-2 win over Almeria on January 21, being an unused substitute in 10 straight La Liga fixtures and in both legs of his side's Champions League last-16 win over RB Leipzig.
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Kepa to return to Chelsea this summer
Lunin is expected to get the nod for this month's tantalising UCL quarter-final with Manchester City, while Kepa could potentially end his time at the Bernabeu with just 18 appearances to his name.
The Chelsea man has outlined his desire to join Ancelotti's side on a permanent deal, but according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, he will not be staying at Real Madrid beyond the end of the season.
Instead, Kepa will pack his bags and return to West London, as Real plan to hand Lunin a new contract and keep him around as their new number two for when Courtois is back from his ACL injury.
Five years on from joining Chelsea in a £72m deal from Athletic, Kepa remains the most expensive goalkeeper on the planet and has kept 59 clean sheets in 163 games for Chelsea, winning the Champions League, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Europa League.
However, the Spain international's contract in the English capital only runs for another year, and his chances of forcing his way back into the Roja squad for Euro 2024 seem slim; he has not represented his nation since March 2023.
What does the future hold for the 29-year-old?
🚨⚪️ Kepa, set to leave Real Madrid as he will return to Chelsea at the end of loan spell in June.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 2, 2024
Real Madrid want to extend Lunin's contract and they keep waiting for Courtois back in the summer.
↪️🔵 Kepa, back to Chelsea with decision to be made on his future. pic.twitter.com/V4Q0tdrPo1
No decision is believed to have been made on Kepa's future yet, but with his contract expiring at the end of next season, difficult discussions will need to be had between the club and his representatives.
It is important to remember that the 29-year-old regained his number one status at Chelsea over Edouard Mendy in the 2022-23 season, culminating in the latter leaving for Saudi Arabia while the Blues kept hold of Kepa.
A move to Lazio was mooted for the ex-Athletic man while Maurizio Sarri was in charge of the Italian club, but with the former Chelsea coach resigning from his role last month, that avenue is seemingly now closed off.
The Blues remain in a quandary regarding their goalkeeping situation, though, as Robert Sanchez is being tipped to quit after just one season, having been demoted to second choice by Djordje Petrovic in recent months.
While a new number one should therefore be sought during the summer transfer market, it is not impossible to envisage Kepa sticking around at Stamford Bridge for a little while longer.
Ben Knapton
