Chelsea star emerges as SHOCK transfer target after injury blow
Tom Weber
- Updated: 9 Aug 2023 10:00 BST
- 4 min read
Kepa Arrizabalaga has emerged as a shock Bayern Munich target after Manuel Neuer suffered an injury setback, according to German media.
The Bayern captain broke his leg while out skiing during last season's winter break and has been out ever since. Now, fears that his recovery would take longer than anticipated have become reality.
Initially, the Bavarians had hoped that the 37-year-old could return in time for the start of the new Bundesliga campaign, but his recovery may yet take several more weeks or even months. With Yann Sommer having officially signed for Inter, the perennial German champions are looking at potential options in the goalkeeper department.
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Having been rejected by wantaway Brentford shot-stopper David Raya, who is on the verge of signing for Arsenal in a big-money deal, Bayern have moved on to the world's most expensive goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Bayern want Kepa
The news was broken by Sport1 and has since been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel knows Kepa well from his time at Chelsea and talks over a potential move have already taken place.
Bayern will offer the Blues a similar deal to the one rejected by Raya - a one-year loan with an option to buy. The Germans likely can't splash the cash on a goalkeeper this window seeing as though they are working on a €100m+ deal for Tottenham captain Harry Kane.
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Kepa would be open to the move, but Bayern are prepared to move on to different targets should a deal fail to materialise. Sevilla's Moroccan World Cup hero Bono and, according to Romano, World Cup winner Geronimo Rulli of Ajax are on their shortlist.
Kepa set Chelsea back a world-record €80m when they snagged him from Athletic Club in 2018, but the Spaniard has mightily struggled to live up to his price tag.
