Chelsea set to gain revenge on Barcelona with Kepa deal

James Shearman

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
• 3 min read

In an ongoing transfer battle between the two clubs, Chelsea are close to getting one over Barcelona with Kepa Arrizabalaga's loan move to Napoli.

Barcelona were hoping that the Italian side would opt to take Neto on loan from them instead, as they are in desperate need of reducing their wage bill.

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But, according to journalist Giacomo Iacobellis, Napoli have reached an agreement with Chelsea, meaning a deal for Neto is now highly unlikely.

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The Blues will be pleased to gain revenge over the Catalan club, given the rivalry between the two sides in this transfer window.

Thomas Tuchel's side tried to sign Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer, though he chose to sign a new contract at Camp Nou.

Chelsea had a deal agreed with Leeds for Raphinha, but he insisted on fulfilling a childhood dream of playing for Barca.

And Jules Kounde, who looked favourites to sign for the west London club in this and last summer's window, has ended up at the La Liga club.

He will partner Andreas Christensen in the centre of defence; the Denmark international left the Blues on a free transfer at the end of June.

There's no doubt that Barcelona have won this transfer battle, scuppering plenty of Chelsea's plans, but Tuchel will be pleased to get some sort of revenge.

Chelsea's disastrous Kepa signing

Chelsea often tend to pride themselves on being one of the savviest clubs in the transfer market across the whole of European football.

Sure, the Stamford Bridge side used to simply outbid their rivals to win Premier League and Champions League titles, but now they like to make sure their record signings are offset by outgoings.

However, even the best sales of back-ups and youngsters can never compensate for the almighty loss Chelsea have had to right off on goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Signed in August 2018 for a staggering £72 million, the former Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper enjoyed a solid debut season at the west London club before his performances dropped off a cliff.

Now, Kepa spends his time sitting on Thomas Tuchel’s bench, burning a considerable hole through the club’s finances each and every year.

Indeed, since joining the club in 2018, Kepa has earned between £7-8m per year from his basic salary with the club.

And when we combine that with the transfer fee that Chelsea paid Athletic for his services, his total cost to the club comes in at over £100m.