Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has turned down Bayern Munich in favour of a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid, reports Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.
With Yann Sommer moving to Inter Milan and Manuel Neuer still sidelined with injury, Bayern are exploring the options for a new keeper in the transfer market.
Kepa has been viewed as a potential candidate, and Bayern have lodged a loan offer to the Blues for his signing.
However, the deal is about to fall through as he is reportedly heading to Madrid.
Los Blancos have been forced to dip their toes in the market for a new keeper following a horrible ACL injury to Thibaut Cortouis, which could keep him out for the entire season.
Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou was reportedly the top target, but his high valuation has led Los Merengues to turn their attention towards the former Athletic Bilbao keeper.
Spanish outlet Marca also claims that Kepa is closing in on a loan move to Santiago Bernabeu.
This could trigger a domino effect on keepers in the transfer market.
The Blues have identified Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili and Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel as a potential replacement for Kepa, with the former also being targeted by Bayern.
The Bundesliga Champions lost their battle with Arsenal for David Raya and are now determined to land a top shot-stopper before the end of the summer window.
Ajax’s Geronimo Rulli and Bounou are also Die Rekordmeister’s wishlist.
Chelsea currently have Robert Sanchez as the only other reliable keeper in their squad, and he is seen as more of a second choice.
