Napoli are considering making a transfer move for Chelsea backup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer, according to reports.
Kepa arrived at the club from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, a title that still remains to this day.
However, for the last two seasons, he has been Chelsea’s backup option in between the sticks behind Edouard Mendy, who made an instant impact on his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
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During his first season at the club Kepa thoroughly impressed, with the Spaniard’s most notable moment of the campaign being his penalty shootout heroics against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-finals.
The Spaniard has enjoyed other fine moments since then, but a series of errors over the last couple of years have seen him fall down the pecking order at the club.
At just 27-years-old he has plenty of game time left in him but as it stands, he will not gain consistent minutes on the pitch if he was to stay at Chelsea.
As a result, Kepa has been linked with a move away from the club during the summer transfer window, with Napoli showing an interest in the goalkeeper.
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It was recently reported that the Serie A side wish to sign him ahead of the new season, although a move could be complicated due to his wages.
However, Napoli Report have revealed that the Italian outfit are following the ‘keeper ‘very closely’ and are giving serious consideration to a move.
This could be made even more possible if Chelsea are open to a loan deal and are willing to pay some of his wages, with Kepa himself said to be keen on a new challenge.
The Blues are believed to be signing Gabriel Slonina from Chicago Fire, although the 18-year-old would return to the MLS side on loan should a switch be finalised.
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Napoli and Chelsea have recent history of dealings in the transfer market, with Jorginho signing for the Blues in 2018 and Kalidou Koulibaly following him this summer.
The latter was the club’s second signing behind Raheem Sterling and it shows that they are being active in the market in preparation for the new season.
However, after their 4-0 loss to Arsenal in pre-season, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel revealed concerns about his side and how they may not yet be ready for the start of the campaign.
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He said: "I can not guarantee.
"I saw today a team in Arsenal who are mentally committed to an idea of playing, a level of exhaustion, a level of physical commitment that we could not match.
"Also, a level of mental commitment that we lacked because we have a lot of players who are thinking about leaving and looking at their options.
“We have players that have left and I think at the moment that's obvious."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea, Napoli, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours