Chelsea set Kepa price tag with Newcastle to rival Spanish giants for keeper

Newcastle and a host of LaLiga clubs are eyeing Chelsea ace Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The 27-year-old cost the Blues £72 million from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, and the fee remains the highest amount ever paid for a goalkeeper.

However, his career has stalled badly and the Spain international is effectively an expensive understudy to Edouard Mendy.

Arrizabalaga did feature while Mendy was representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations though.

And he also helped Chelsea reach the Carabao Cup final at Tottenham’s expense in January.

With his stock higher than at any point during his Chelsea career, club bigwigs will push to get him off the books this summer.

It is understood the west Londoners are prepared to listen to any sensible offers around the £50m mark.

A loan with an obligation to buy might also be deemed acceptable in the right circumstances.

An array of LaLiga big hitters – including Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid – have been actively sniffing around.

Should Chelsea keep or sell Kepa? Join the debate in the comments section.

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But cash-rich Newcastle are also prepared to show their cards if they stay in the Premier League.

Eddie Howe rates Slovakia international Martin Dubravka highly.

Nevertheless, the Toon’s ambitious new owners want wholesale upgrades across the team if they retain their top-flight status.