27-year-old Chelsea player surely won't be joining Newcastle this summer now - TCC View
It appears Kepa Arrizabalaga’s reported move to Newcastle United is off the cards.
This follows the Magpie’s move for Nick Pope from relegated Burnley, securing the deal for £10m.
The 30-year-old England international is the latest smart signing completed by Eddie Howe’s side as they continue their revolution under new ownership.
The deal, however, surely shuts the door on Kepa’s potential move to the North East, which would have seen him joining a club certain to be challenging for European football from as early as next season.
Newcastle simply don’t need two goalkeepers this summer, with Martin Dubravka already at the club, and they will now almost certainly start focussing on strengthening other areas of their squad.
That being said the Spain international will still likely be keen on leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.
In part down to bad form, but also part down to the brilliance of Edouard Mendy, the 27-year-old has seen his appearances for the club limited mostly to cup fixtures.
He made just four league appearances last season, although frequently showed his class when called upon in domestic cups.
His finest moment of the campaign was arguably in the season’s curtain raiser, saving two penalties after a late substitution to win Chelsea the Super Cup against Villarreal.
With the prime of his career supposedly coming, a move is also necessary in order to keep his hopes of becoming Spain goalkeeper alive for future tournaments.
The number one jersey is certainly not nailed down for Luis Enrique’s side, with Manchester United’s David de Gea being one name who seems to be out of favour with the national side.
A move away could be the catalyst to Kepa making another case for the spot, with him making 11 appearances for Spain already.
Reports have suggested a move to Lazio could well be on the cards, setting up a reunion with former manager Maurizio Sarri.
The Spaniard enjoyed his most successful spell in West London under the Italian, so a reunion could work wonders in reviving what was once determined as a very promising career.
