Teams in “England and Europe” now interested in Chelsea player nobody wanted a year ago | OneFootball

Chelsea have had a few good loans this season, with Andrey Santos the outstanding name. But other moves we didn’t have such high hopes for are also working out well.

The disaster of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s £80m move to Chelsea won’t be forgotten anytime soon, but it seems like the club are closer than ever to finding a solution.

A good loan to Bournemouth, where he’s played under fellow Basque Andoni Iraola as part of their miracle season, has restored faith in his abilities, and now according to Kieran Gill’s Chelsea Confidential column, there are multiple teams from across Europe interested in the stopper.

Kepa signed a new contract a year ago to protect his value while he was loaned out, and there were reports at the time that there was a £5m release clause included in it. Whether that only applies to Bournemouth or  any team is not yet clear.

“Insiders at the Vitality Stadium say they are preparing for every eventuality,” Gill writes.

“That includes seeing which other goalkeepers are available in case they are unable to get Arrizabalaga, given his form in helping the Cherries challenge for European qualification under Andoni Iraola has triggered interest from elsewhere in England and Europe.”

Chelsea to finally tick Kepa issue off their list

Kepa Arrizabalaga in action for Bournemouth against Tottenham. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

It seems like we finally may get some cash back for Kepa – although considering the vast sum we’ve paid out in transfer fee and wages over the years, it will be cold comfort.

Still, it will be one fewer players on the books to have to worry about. Whatever happens, a permanent move rather than another loan looks certain at this point. Remember, even with a release clause, teams can bid above it to try and space payments out.