Chelsea join Kepa race
Reports in Spain claim that Premier League champions Chelsea have become the latest side to show an interest in Athletic Bilbao stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The young goalkeeper is well on his way to becoming the latest victim of a drawn-out transfer saga, having spent the last several weeks being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and talks over a fresh deal have hit the buffers, alerting several top European sides as to his availabilty.
The Basque side continue to live in hope that they can convince their academy star to commit his future to the club, but his exit is looking more and more likely with each passing day.
Kepa has already rejected several new contracts and is expected to be innundated with offers from elsewehre come Janaury 1.
Real Madrid are known to been keen admirers of the Spaniard and 'Los Blancos' are thought to be considering paying his €20m release clause in order to seal a deal in January.
However, there will be plenty of competition, with 'El Chiringuito TV' claiming that Chelsea are also seriously considering a move for the talented stopper.
They claim that the Londoners see Kepa as the ideal alternative to Belgian Thibaut Courtois, who has frustrated his current employers by constantly flirting with other clubs in the press.
With Kepa being young, blessed with excellent reflexes and considered to have the potential to go on to become one of the best goalkeepers in world football, it is thought that Chelsea are ready to take a chance on the 23-year-old.
However, having made his first start for his country against Costa Rica at Malaga's La Rosaleda stadium on Saturday, Kepa is keen to be on the plane to next summer's World Cup and he will make a decision about his future with that in mind.