Chelsea set for £72m transfer headache as nightmare move already decided

Chelsea’s on-loan goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is reportedly planning on returning to the club at the end of his loan deal with Bournemouth.

The 30-year-old signed for the Cherries on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer. His last game for the Blues came in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in May 2023, with the goalkeeper spending last season on loan with Real Madrid.

He was heavily linked with a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer. However, instead he put pen-to-paper on a new one-year contract extension with the club and joined Bournemouth on loan.

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Kepa has quickly established himself as first-choice at the Vitality Stadium. He has started every game he has been available for, only missing matches through injury or against is parent club.

His performances have led to reports that Bournemouth are keen to make the deal permanent, either in January, or at the end of the loan deal. Kepa’s new contract, that now runs until 2026, will allow Chelsea to get some cash from any potential sale, instead of losing him for nothing. The Blues paid a record £72 million for Kepa back in 2018.

However, Spanish outlet Marca reports that any permanent deal for Kepa would be difficult for Bournemouth to do. The report also suggests that the goalkeeper himself plans to return to Chelsea at the end of his loan deal before assessing his options.

The Spaniard is said to be happy in England with his partner expecting the couple’s first child. He doesn’t however look to have a future at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea potentially facing a headache to try and move him on upon his return.

Head coach Enzo Maresca has turned to Robert Sanchez as first choice, and has backed the goalkeeper despite some mistakes so far this season. The club also completed a £22 million move for Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal in the summer.