Premier League side Newcastle United are being tipped for a summer swoop for Chelsea stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga
Arrizabalaga has been a backup goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge in the last year, with Edouard Mendy firmly entrenched as the Blues’ first option.
Arrizabalaga became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world after joining Chelsea in a £72 million deal from Athletic Club in 2018. Both Kepa and Chelsea are ok with selling him in the coming months due to his lack of first-team play, with the club placing their current asking price at £50 million.
According to the Daily Star, the Magpies may make a bold bid for him as part of a summer spending spree at St. James’ Park.
Eddie Howe can now fulfil his huge January commitment to enhance his number one by securing a mega-deal to sign the ex-Athletic Bilbao star.
The Magpies manager allegedly intended to recruit Dean Henderson last month because he was dissatisfied by current first-choice Martin Dubravka, but the deal fell through.
By obtaining Kepa’s services, Howe has the opportunity to correct that blunder and bring in a new goalkeeper to take over the gloves at St. James’ Park.
According to FBRef, Kepa outperforms Dubravka in eight of the 13 statistical categories used to judge goalkeeper performances during the last 365 days. When it comes to sweeping outside of his box, the Spaniard outperforms the Slovakian.
The Spaniard is also five years younger and this means that he still has the potential to improve and grow as a player.
See More:
