The powers that be at La Liga giants Real Madrid have come to a definitive decision on the future of on-loan goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga beyond the summer.
That’s according to Relevo, who have this evening provided an insight into developments behind the scenes at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Kepa, for his part, linked up with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad last summer, in a season-long loan deal from Premier League heavyweights Chelsea.
This came after Thibaut Courtois suffered a long-term knee injury whilst in pre-season training.
Brought in to act as the new no.1 between the posts in Spain’s capital, however, the 29-year-old, all told, has since failed to impress.
Whilst boss Ancelotti has continued to publicly express that Kepa is in competition with Andriy Lunin for a starting berth, the latter, for all intents and purposes, appears to have established himself as the clear first-choice over recent weeks.
With Courtois primed to return to the pitch over the coming months, it should in turn come as little surprise to hear that Real Madrid are ready to cut ties with the Chelsea man.
As per the aforementioned Relevo, the decision on the club’s option to buy Kepa has already been made.
The former Athletic Club man will not be brought in on a permanent basis with a view to next season, save for a ‘radical change’, with Los Blancos ready to depend on the pairing of Courtois and Lunin.
Fran González, meanwhile, is set to act as understudy.
Conor Laird | GSFN
