Earlier in the year, Newcastle United were linked with signing Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
Eddie Howe was on the lookout for a new goalkeeper to compete with Martin Dubravka, and the Spaniard was mentioned as a possible option.
The Athletic reported in May that Newcastle were looking to sign Kepa. However, the Magpies instead looked elsewhere.
A new goalkeeper has arrived, but it’s Nick Pope rather than Kepa. The England international cost £10million from Burnley, and looks like a great piece of business by the Toon hierarchy.
It ended a lengthy pursuit of a new stopper, and meant that Kepa definitely wouldn’t be coming to St James’ Park.
Now Chelsea’s asking price for the 27-year-old has been reported, and it looks like Newcastle absolutely made the right decision.
What Chelsea’s asking price for Kepa is
According to the Athletic, Chelsea want between £29million and £33.5million for Kepa. That’s a lot less than what he cost the Blues in 2018.
They spent £71million on the Spain international, and he’s proven to be an absolute waste of money.
No clubs nibbled at that asking price, but Kepa is at least on the brink of a move. The Athletic state that he is going to join Napoli on loan in the coming days, with Chelsea paying the majority of his wages.
It shows just how desperate Thomas Tuchel’s side are to get rid of him.
At around £30million, Newcastle were right not to make a move. For a third of the price we’ve signed a better goalkeeper who will be much more reliable.
Even a loan deal for Kepa would have been a risk. He’s a big name, but it wouldn’t have filled the Toon Army with confidence.
But Pope does. He looks solid, and will hopefully get his Newcastle career off to a great start on Saturday against Nottingham Forest.
As for Kepa, he’s off to Italy where he’ll hope to rebuild his career. But Newcastle made the right decision not to bring him to St James’ Park.
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