Chelsea are reportedly considering a swap deal with Real Madrid, offering Kepa Arrizabalaga in exchange for Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. The potential move comes as part of Chelsea's efforts to trim their squad and upgrade their options under new manager Enzo Maresca.
The Blues have been active in the transfer market this summer, spending around £93 million on new signings including Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Omari Kellyman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, and Estevao Willian. To balance the books, Chelsea have also orchestrated several outgoing transfers, generating approximately £89 million from the sales of Thiago Silva, Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson, Michael Golding, and Hakim Ziyech.
Despite these efforts, Chelsea are still looking to offload more players, with Armando Broja, Romelu Lukaku, Trevoh Chalobah, Lesley Ugochukwu, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Conor Gallagher reportedly on the market. Gallagher, whose contract expires in less than 12 months, faces particular pressure to be sold.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, who spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, is another player who could be on his way out. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who earns around £155,000 per week, is reportedly keen on leaving Chelsea this summer and has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad, where he could reunite with former teammate N'Golo Kante.
Chelsea's interest in Andriy Lunin comes as the Ukrainian goalkeeper finds himself in a contractual standoff with Real Madrid. Lunin had a standout season replacing the injured Thibaut Courtois but with his contract set to expire next summer, Real Madrid are under pressure to either secure an extension or consider selling him.
The potential swap deal has drawn the attention of other Premier League clubs, with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City all making enquiries about the 25-year-old goalkeeper. As Real Madrid seek to avoid losing Lunin for free next summer, a swap deal involving Arrizabalaga could be an attractive option.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of both goalkeepers as Chelsea look to enhance their goalkeeping options while managing their wage bill. The potential swap deal could prove to be a strategic move for both clubs, with Real Madrid securing a replacement for Lunin and Chelsea offloading Arrizabalaga's hefty salary.