Chelsea get final decision on Kepa Arrizabalaga's future

Jacque Talbot

• 3 Feb 2024 10:38 CST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have opted not to extend the loan of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, signaling the end of his stint with the club after the 2023-24 season.

The decision comes just five months after the 29-year-old arrived at the Bernabeu with hopes of securing a permanent spot with the Spanish giants.

Despite Kepa's initial optimism, the Real Madrid board has decided against keeping him beyond the loan period. Sources suggest that only a radical change in his performance would see the decision be reversed.

Revelo report that the coaching staff, including head coach and decision-makers at Real Madrid, are satisfied with the current performance of Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin so the Chelsea man will head back to Stamford Bridge.

The goalkeeping situation for Real Madrid next season is shaping up to be a partnership between Lunin and the recovering Thibaut Courtois. The Champions League winner, who suffered an ACL injury at the end of August, is on track for a positive recovery, and the club is optimistic about his return at full strength for the next season after a thorough preseason. With Courtois and Lunin as the primary goalkeeping duo, the services of Kepa are not required.

Why won't Real Madrid resign Kepa?

The doubts surrounding Kepa's future with the club surfaced after he suffered an adductor injury, causing him to miss a crucial match against Braga - and when he made a return, it saw a decline in form, marked by a series of mistakes.

As the summer market approaches, Kepa’s future remains uncertain. He had gone on record to say how much he would like to stay with the LaLiga giants but now that seems very unlikely.