If Chelsea decides to offload a record signing in the next transfer windows, they could suffer a major financial setback and lose a big £63 million relative to their original investment.
Chelsea has been quite active in the transfer market over the last three windows, bringing in money for new purchases through the high-profile departures of players like Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, and Mateo Kovacic.
Even though a large number of these deals have resulted in large fees—over £230 million—Chelsea is considering letting go of one player for a significant loss.
According to Spanish publication La Defensa, Real Madrid is willing to offer Chelsea £8.7 million for Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga if they want to keep him beyond his loan period.
In 2018, Chelsea broke the record for goalkeeper transfers when they paid Athletic Bilbao an incredible £72 million to acquire Kepa’s services. Even though the 29-year-old’s first season at Stamford Bridge ended with a Europa League victory, his time there has fallen short of expectations.
Under Frank Lampard’s leadership, seasoned goalie Willy Caballero replaced him in the starting lineup until Chelsea signed Edouard Mendy as the new number one. Mendy and Arrizabalaga both left this summer, with the latter moving to Real Madrid to cover for the injured Thibaut Courtois.
The Real Madrid management is reportedly impressed by Arrizabalaga’s performances at Los Blancos and is thinking about making a permanent move for the summer to support Courtois. But the proposed transfer cost is more than £63 million less than Chelsea’s original investment, which might make the deal more difficult.
Chelsea, owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, has shown a readiness to let players leave in order to raise money for the signing of fresh, younger players, even in the face of possible financial loss. The team’s goalkeeper at the moment is Robert Sanchez, and manager Mauricio Pochettino has stated that he is happy with the Spaniard—even after the player made a mistake recently against Arsenal. Pochettino accepted the mistake but continued to back Sanchez.
