Newcastle United are chasing the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – but may have to splash out £50million on him.
That’s according to the Daily Star, who claim that Newcastle are eyeing Arrizabalaga for a summer move to Tyneside as they chase a new goalkeeper.
The likes of Bernd Leno and Dean Henderson have also been linked with Newcastle, with Arrizabalaga now a surprise target.
La Liga clubs are also thought to be interested in Arrizabalaga, whose Chelsea career hasn’t quite gone to plan.
Chelsea forked out a staggering £72million for Arrizabalaga back in 2018 – a fee which is still the record for a goalkeeper.
It quickly became clear that Arrizabalaga wasn’t up to standard in the Premier League, with Chelsea signing Edouard Mendy as their new first-choice stopper in 2020.
That means Arrizabalaga is sat on the bench and has only really featured in cup games or when Mendy went to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Chelsea want a huge chunk of their money back though, and allegedly want around £50million for Arrizabalaga this summer.
Arrizabalaga isn’t a lost cause at just 27, but this kind of asking price may just leave Newcastle looking elsewhere.
The Spaniard has been hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Chelsea coach Arno Michels, but Arrizabalaga has flattered to deceive in the Premier League.
Had the fee been around £25million to £35million, you could understand Newcastle feeling that Arrizabalaga would be worth buying to replace Martin Dubravka.
£50million though? There are many goalkeepers out there that would surely be cheaper and offered a similar standard.
This seems like al lofty demand from Chelsea, who understandably want to recoup some of their cash, but may price themselves out of a sale.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
