Real Madrid reportedly plan on re-signing Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea as Andriy Lunin contemplates a summer exit in search of regular minutes.
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Madrid could sign Kepa once againLunin could depart this summer Chelsea man spent last season on loan at RealFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to a report from AS, Real Madrid are planning to re-sign out-of-favour Chelsea man Kepa Arrizabalaga, currently on loan at Bournemouth, in the scenario that Andriy Lunin departs from the club in search of more regular playing time elsewhere.
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Last season, Lunin was one of the heroes for Los Blancos as they clinched the La Liga and Champions League double after Thibaut Courtois suffered a devastating knee injury in the pre-season ahead of the 2023-24 season. Of course, Real Madrid signed Kepa on loan from Chelsea, and Carlo Ancelotti even preferred him over Lunin in the first few months of the season.
However, the Ukrainian international usurped Kepa as Ancelotti's first-choice in the biggest games, making 31 appearances in all competitions. This season, though, with the return of Courtois to full fitness as well as form, Lunin has been relegated to a bench role, making just 10 starts.
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Lunin signed a contract extension with Real Madrid until 2030 in September 2024, despite rumors of a potential departure. The club, however, is open to offers this summer and may allow him to leave if a suitable bid is received, as Lunin seeks a first-choice role elsewhere, with agent Jorge Mendes leading the efforts. If he departs, Real Madrid plan to bring back Kepa, who impressed during his loan spell last season and is seen as a solid backup to Courtois.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR KEPA ARRIZABALAGA?
In a recent interview with (h/t @MadridUniversal), Kepa reminisced about his time at Real Madrid: "Just a year but I enjoyed it a lot. Winning La Liga and UCL. Obviously I had ups and downs. Was starting games, got injured and started playing less but I felt important in the team. We lost just 2 in 60-70 games."
His words obviously reflect that he loved being at the Bernabeu, and that a future return could still be on the cards if Real Madrid come calling. While his future remains up for discussion, he will be back in Bournemouth colours this weekend, when they face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, March 30.