Kepa Arrizabalaga has made it clear he does not want to return to Chelsea when his loan spell at Real Madrid ends. The Spanish goalkeeper, who joined the LaLiga giants on a season-long loan this week, is hoping to secure a permanent move to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid moved quickly to sign Kepa as an emergency replacement after Thibaut Courtois suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 28-year-old was unveiled as a Madrid player on Tuesday, although the loan deal is not believed to include an option to make the transfer permanent next summer.
Speaking at his unveiling, Kepa said: "I really hope Real Madrid will keep me at the end of the season." He also made clear that his decision to join Madrid was straightforward, despite interest from other clubs. "The decision has been very easy," he said. "I had other important offers but Real Madrid is Real Madrid. When Real Madrid wanted me everything was clear."
The goalkeeper added: "Spanish players always talk about Real Madrid during the international break. Everything about this club is spectacular."
Kepa's departure from Chelsea comes after Edouard Mendy left the club earlier in the summer, with Robert Sanchez arriving from Brighton. Sanchez started in goal for Chelsea against Liverpool on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, with manager Mauricio Pochettino confirming that Kepa had been given permission to explore a move away.
