Kepa Arrizabalaga could sensationally request to leave Chelsea after losing his starting spot under Frank Lampard.
The £72million goalkeeper, signed from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, reportedly believes that the Blues boss has failed to honour a verbal agreement between the pair – which would have ensured Kepa remained first choice.
And according to media reports in England, the 25-year-old is even prepared to walk away from Stamford Bridge but fears being priced out of a move.
Kepa Arrizabalaga ‘ready to quit Chelsea’ with Frank Lampard failing to honour ‘verbal contract’
Kepa Arrizabalaga could sensationally request to leave Chelsea after losing his starting spot under Frank Lampard.
The £72million goalkeeper, signed from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, reportedly believes that the Blues boss has failed to honour a verbal agreement between the pair – which would have ensured Kepa remained first choice.
And according to The Sun, the 25-year-old is even prepared to walk away from Stamford Bridge but fears being priced out of a move.
The world’s most expensive stopper has been forced to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks, with veteran Willy Caballero ousting him for the 2-2 draw at Leicester earlier this month.
Cabellero has continued to start between the sticks for the Blues’ clashes with Manchester United, Tottenham and Bayern Munich – and will likely also line up against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Lampard insisted that the decision to remove Kepa from the firing line wasn’t taken ‘lightly’, but a string of high-profile errors has now generated agitation among the club’s hierarchy.
Figures at the Champions League hopefuls believe that the star’s uncertain future could cause his value to plummet, in the event that they attempt to cut their losses.
Despite having four years remaining on his contract, Kepa may be forced to search elsewhere for regular first-team action – with his dreams of starting for Spain at Euro 2020 rapidly fading.
Talks during the winter break are thought to have convinced Kepa he would be able to reclaim his starting place, but uncertainty surrounding his future has irked the keeper.
Kepa feels he has not been adequately supported by either the club or Lampard during his struggles, and continues to grow frustrated with the situation.
The big-money addition may become part of a mass summer clear-out, although Chelsea could be reluctant to sell him after investing a sizeable fee to secure his services from LaLiga.
But boss Lampard is eager to move on several first-team stars in order to make room to bring in his own reinforcements.
Ross Barkley, Jorginho, Marcos Alonso, Emerson, Kurt Zouma, Willian and Pedro could join Kepa in departing the capital at the end of the campaign.