Is Kepa Arrizabalaga's time at Chelsea over after Real Madrid stint?

Kepa Arrizabalaga finds himself at a crossroads as his season-long loan at Real Madrid comes to an end. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a record-breaking £72 million, now faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.

During his loan spell at Real Madrid, Kepa made 20 appearances across various competitions, helping the Spanish giants secure both the La Liga title and the Champions League trophy.

Despite his contributions, a permanent move to Real Madrid seems unlikely, as Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin's impressive performances overshadowed Kepa in the latter stages of the season.

According to AS, Kepa "will not continue" at Real Madrid next season, leaving him to seek more playing time at a new club before his contract expires.

With just 12 months remaining on his current Chelsea contract, Kepa's future at the London club looks bleak. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth believes that the Spaniard is unlikely to feature for the Blues again, stating,

"They've got Kepa, who cost around £70 million. He's not going to be figuring for Chelsea, you wouldn't think."

As Chelsea part-owner Todd Boehly looks to raise transfer funds by offloading unwanted stars, Kepa could be one of the players to make way. The club also has doubts over the futures of Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja, and Trevor Chalobah. Sheth suggests that Chelsea will need to decide whether to renew their contracts or cash in on them now to keep in line with Financial Fair Play rules.

The Spanish goalkeeper's time at Chelsea has been marked by mixed feelings and inconsistent performances. Despite being the world's most expensive goalkeeper, Kepa has struggled to live up to expectations and has been the first choice for only a small period of his time at the club.

Is Kepa Arrizabalaga's time at Chelsea over after Real Madrid stint?

As Kepa returns to Chelsea with a La Liga title and a second Champions League trophy to his name, his future remains unclear. The 29-year-old will likely seek a new challenge where he can secure regular playing time and prove his worth.

Meanwhile, Chelsea faces a busy summer as they look to reshape their squad and balance the books in line with Financial Fair Play regulations. The club will need to make crucial decisions regarding the futures of several players, including Kepa, Gallagher, Broja, and Chalobah.

As the transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Chelsea and Kepa Arrizabalaga, as the world's most expensive goalkeeper looks to find a new home where he can showcase his talents and regain his form.