Kepa Arrizabalaga’s future remains up in the air after Chelsea rejected an initial offer from Saudi club Al Ittihad. The Spanish goalkeeper, still the world’s most expensive at £72.5m, spent last season on loan at Real Madrid but lost his starting spot to Andriy Lunin.
Real Madrid haven’t shown interest in a permanent move, prompting Chelsea to consider offers. The Athletic reports that talks are ongoing with Al Ittihad and other interested clubs, with Kepa likely to depart before the transfer window closes.
Reports suggest Kepa received a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League. A reunion with former teammate N’Golo Kante, who impressed at Euro 2024, could be a factor in his decision.
The Saudi Pro League is actively attracting big names. Nacho Fernandez joined Al Qadsiah recently, and Virgil van Dijk and Kevin De Bruyne are reportedly targets for other clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence at Al Nassr further fuels speculation of a star-studded league.
While Mohamed Salah remains a dream signing, Kepa’s potential arrival highlights the growing financial muscle of the Saudi Pro League. Chelsea are open to negotiations, but the terms for his exit haven’t been agreed upon yet.
