If a report from the Daily Mail is believed to be accurate, Newcastle United have identified Kepa Arrizabalaga as one of their potential transfer targets. However, the Chelsea goal is not alone in the list, with Dean Henderson, Bernd Leno, and Sam Johnstone also identified for a potential summer loan.
The Blues splashed a record £71.6m back in 2018 to secure his services from Athletic Bilbao. The Spaniard was supposed to succeed Thibaut Courtois between the sticks for years to come, but an array of erroneous outings cost him his place from the last campaign onwards. Edouard Mendy has been a revelation since his low-key move from Rennes as the Ivorian cemented the ‘number 1’ status soon after plying his trade to Stamford Bridge.
Arrizabalaga, 27, is only appearing in Cup games, and the London club, therefore, should listen to offers in the coming days.
While they would prefer to recoup some amount over losing him for nothing three years later, a loan deal would still clear the wage bill significantly, with him being one of the highest earners at the club.
The Magpies, meanwhile, have scripted a resurgence under Eddie Howe following the high-profile takeover of a Saudi-led consortium. They roped in an array of new names in the winter window, which helped climb the league ladder after battling for survival.
Why Chelsea Should Sanction The Loan
The new owners have added depth as well as quality across the pitch, but the spending spree should continue in the summer window to compete with the ‘Big Six’. Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow have done well in the recent past. Having said that, a player of Arrizabalaga’s profile would strengthen the Toon Army going forward.
The Basque-born goalkeeper progressed through the youth ranks of Bilbao and spent a year and a half on loan in Segunda División before securing a first-team role. He soon earned accolades for his agility, quick reflexes and short-stopping ability, but the limitations of his game got exposed soon after joining the English giants.
His inconsistency, sense of positioning and ball-playing ability have been under scrutiny for quite some time. A transfer elsewhere would do him a massive favour if minutes are assured between the sticks.
The Blues have Marcus Bettinelli in their squad contracted until the summer of 2023. The former Fulham keeper is an able understudy to Mendy. An impressive loan spell next season might help Chelsea get better deals for the Spain international in the forthcoming future.
