Kepa Arrizabalaga ‘has permission’ to leave Chelsea in the transfer window, according to Mauricio Pochettino.
After signing from Brighton, Robert Sanchez replaced the Spaniard in Chelsea’s season opener against Liverpool on Sunday.
Before the game, the Blues manager remarked, “With Kepa, it is something that has happened extremely swiftly and it is a situation that is correct [claims of move].
“He has permission to explore a different situation and we will see what happens with that one over the next 24–48 hours.”
Bayern Munich pursued Kepa earlier this summer, but Real Madrid are currently the frontrunners.
Thibaut Courtois’ ACL injury has sidelined Real Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Kepa was Real’s top pick over David de Gea and Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou.
The 28-year-old will depart West London this summer after five difficult years.
Kepa won the Champions League and Europa League with the Blues in 163 games, although he struggled with fans.
The League Cup final goalie refused to be substituted in 2019. He apologized to Blues manager Maurizio Sarri.
Liverpool leads Chelsea 1-0 in their Premier League opening.
