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IF THE KEP FITS
Chelsea outcast Kepa ‘has significant Saudi offer on the table’ with Blues ready to cut losses on £72m flop
See what a Real Madrid recently had to say about Kepa's attitude
KEPA ARRIZABALAGA reportedly has a “significant offer” on the table to leave Chelsea.
The Spanish goalkeeper headed out on loan to Real Madrid last season after Thibaut Courtois’ injury ruled him out for the majority of the campaign.
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The 29-year-old did make 20 appearances for Los Blancos but he ended up slipping to third-choice behind Ukrainian Andriy Lunin and the fit-again Courtois.
Kepa has now entered the final 12 months of the deal he signed after making his world record £72.1 million move to Chelsea in 2018 from Athletic Bilbao.
Despite being a Blues player again, he has publicly gone on record to state his desire to stay at Real Madrid.
That could still be on the table with reports suggesting that Madrid’s No.2 stopper Lunin was unhappy at being left out of the Champions League final and could be open to a move.
We previously revealed how the ace was looking for talks with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as he faces up to an uncertain future.
However, now a new option is allegedly on the table.
Marca have claimed that Kepa has a “significant offer” from a Saudi Pro League club.
They claim that Al-Ittihad, who have ex-Chelsea team-mate N’Golo Kante and striker Karim Benzema in their squad, are willing to pay him a whopping salary to move to them.
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But Kepa is determined not to rush into anything and he has allegedly asked for time before making a decision.
He is believed to be waiting to see whether he receives other proposals while debating what life would be like in the Middle East for him and his family.
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Real Madrid are also still considering a swoop to bring him back, especially if Lunin pushes for an exit.
And their full-back Dani Carvajal recently spoke of the positive impact Kepa had at the club.
The Spanish star said: “The Real Madrid dressing room this year has been impressive.
“For me the greatest example has been Kepa. He joined on loan due to a long-term injury to Thibaut Courtois.
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“He was initially expected to play as a starter and Lunin beat him to the spot.
“But every day he has arrived with a smile, he has worked as hard as anyone in training, he stayed on afterwards to work in the gym to be better and be able to help the team.
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“He is the clear example of a professional player.”
It remains to be seen what sort of price Chelsea would demand for the keeper but it is widely-believed they are open to offers for him.
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