Sources: Chelsea in talks with Lazio over Kepa Arrizabalaga loan, Blues will need a new GK

Chelsea sounding out Kepa replacements

Yes, the reports are true, Serie A side Lazio are keen on taking Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan next season.

In fact, they have already made contact with Chelsea and put their offer forward to the Blues, and it is something that the club are open to this summer.

Lazio want Chelsea to pay at least half of Kepa’s wages, and this is something that could suit both parties, with his wages being very high.

The Spanish keeper was and still is open to staying at Chelsea. However, as time goes on, he is admittedly more feeling that he must leave now to get first team football and attempt to save his domestic and international career.

Kepa is also keen on working under Maurizio Sarri again, and we know that Sarri rates the goalkeeper highly, so it would be a great move for all involved really.

Whilst this is far from done yet, Chelsea are sounding out new goalkeepers, which is something they were doing before this development anyway due to Willy Caballero leaving the club.

20-year old Karlo Ziger is rated highly at the club, and he could become an option for a number two or a number three.

But Chelsea have also asked their scouts to look around for a suitable goalkeeper to come in and replace Kepa now, and we all know that might be a tough position to fill.

I’d imagine it will be an older keeper at the end of his career looking for one last opportunity to play at the top level.

Edouard Mendy obviously has the number one spot nailed down, which is why the club moved away from their attempts to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma.

But they want a quality goalkeeper to come in if they do need to replace Kepa, one who is good enough to be named a number two, but one who is also happy to place second fiddle to Mendy.

Any ideas? Answers on a postcard…

I’ll try get names.

Simon Phillips