Real Madrid join Bayern Munich in the race to sign 28-year-old Chelsea defensive star

Real Madrid join Bayern Munich in the race for Chelsea star Kepa Arrizabalaga after the ACL injury to Thibaut Courtois

As per a tweet from Evening Standard correspondent Nizaar Kinsella, Real Madrid have joined Bayern Munich in the race to sign Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga following the ACL injury to Thibaut Courtois.

It was revealed earlier in the day that Courtois, a Premier League winner with Chelsea, has suffered an ACL injury that will force him to miss the majority of the 2023/24 season for Madrid.

A few hours before that news, Bayern registered their interest in signing Kepa. The German champions had been preparing a loan offer with an option to buy. The latest is that Madrid are willing to match that offer.

The report that stated Bayern’s interest also mentioned that Chelsea are preparing for life without Kepa as they draw up replacements for the Spanish international.

It was only a few days ago when the Blues announced the signing of Robert Sanchez from Brighton. At the time, it was said that Sanchez is coming to offer competition for places with Kepa being the number one keeper in the team.

That tone seems to have changed now. We could see the latter leaving and witness the former taking over the gloves to start the season. Marcus Bettinelli is there as a backup option.

As inconsistent as Kepa has been during his time at Stamford Bridge, letting him go must mean that Chelsea are signing another keeper before the deadline day of this transfer window.

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That has to be the order of this movement. Kepa, 28, would not be the biggest miss of all for the Blues because his performance never really garnered confidence among the players and the supporters. Let’s hope that if a deal has to take place, it does so at a rapid pace.