Kepa Arrizabalaga could head back to Real Madrid if Andriy Lunin leaves

Real Madrid are reportedly open to re-signing Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga if current backup Andriy Lunin decides to leave the club this summer.

Kepa, who joined Real Madrid on loan from Chelsea in August 2023 following Thibaut Courtois' ACL injury, initially stepped in as the first-choice goalkeeper. However, his tenure as the primary shot-stopper was short-lived, as he was eventually overtaken by Lunin.

The Spaniard ended the season with just 20 appearances across all competitions, managing nine clean sheets and conceding 18 goals. An untimely injury further complicated his prospects, relegating him to third-choice upon Courtois' return.

Meanwhile, Andriy Lunin's future at the Santiago Bernabeu remains uncertain. The Ukrainian goalkeeper, who has just 12 months left on his contract, has been offered an extension by the club. However, he has neither signed the new deal nor communicated any desire to leave.

Lunin's impressive performances have attracted interest from other clubs, particularly in the Premier League, where he could potentially secure more regular playing time.

Chelsea, Kepa's parent club, are keen to offload the goalkeeper permanently this summer as he enters the final year of his contract. The Blues are prepared to make a significant loss on the £71.6 million they paid to sign him from Athletic Club in 2018. With Kepa also expressing a desire to return to Madrid, negotiations could be straightforward if Lunin decides to depart.

Spanish outlet Marca reports that Real Madrid could reconsider their stance on Kepa if Lunin leaves. The club is keeping its options open, and the 29-year-old Spaniard remains a viable candidate to return as Courtois' understudy. The decision hinges on Lunin's future, with Real Madrid prepared to act swiftly should the Ukrainian goalkeeper opt for a move away from the Spanish capital.

Kepa's career has experienced significant ups and downs since his high-profile transfer to Chelsea in August 2018. Having developed his skills at Athletic Club, he quickly established himself as one of La Liga's most promising young goalkeepers. His tenure at Chelsea has been marked by inconsistency, featuring both moments of brilliance and periods of struggle.

Chelsea currently have Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic as their goalkeeping options and are still monitoring the opportunity to recruit younger talents in that position. The Stamford Bridge club is not interested in retaining Kepa, making his return to Real Madrid a plausible scenario if Lunin departs.

The futures of both Kepa Arrizabalaga and Andriy Lunin remain intertwined. Real Madrid's goalkeeping situation is fluid, with the club ready to adapt based on Lunin's decision.