With plenty of time remaining until the transfer window slams shut, Chelsea have already signed five players so far this summer.
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Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu, Omari Kellyman and Renato Veiga have all arrived at Stamford Bridge so far this summer, bolstering new head coach Enzo Maresca’s squad ahead of the new season.
The Blues are likely to have to offload players this summer too, though, in order to ensure they adhere to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
Now, though, it appears that the West London side may struggle to sell one of their most expensive ever players.
According to Ben Jacobs, Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad have ended their pursuit of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Spaniard joined the Blues from Spanish side Athletic Bilbao for a fee of £71.6 million in 2018, in doing so becoming the most expensive ‘keeper of all time.Kepa faces an extremely uncertain future at Chelsea
He endured a difficult time in London, though, making a number of high profile mistakes and eventually being replaced as the club’s first choice by Edouard Mendy.
Last summer, Kepa departed Stamford Bridge to join Spanish giants Real Madrid on a season-long loan, but after initially being a regular for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, the Spaniard fell out of favour.
The Saudi Pro League side had shown interest in Kepa and believed that the player himself was increasingly keen on the idea of a move to the Middle East, Jacobs says, but the club’s board have now voted against the proposed deal.
In total the Spain international has played more than 160 times for Chelsea across all competitions, keeping 59 clean sheets.
He is contracted to the London side until next summer, which means he could sign a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club in January and then leave as a free agent at the end of next season.
