09 August 2023 , 10:57
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Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is eyeing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to reports.
The ex-Blues boss is pushing for a loan move with the option to buy the Spaniard next summer as he looks to add reinforcements. Mauricio Pochettino is a fan of Kepa but will not stand in his way if he wants to leave having just added Robert Sanchez from Brighton.
Chelsea have already allowed Edouard Mendy to leave for Saudi Arabia and Kepa had looked to go into the new season as the No 1 in west London. Already though the Blues are considering reinforcements with the Evening Standard reporting that they've eyed Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel.
Tuchel is in the midst of his first summer as Bayern boss having taken charge midway through last season and wants to put his stamp on the squad. Manuel Neuer has been the first choice at the Allianz Arena for well over a decade but the German is now 37.
The World Cup winner also broke his leg in a skiing accident in December and there are doubts as to whether he can hit his previous heights with Neuer being regarded as the best goalkeeper on the planet. Bayern want to spend as little as possible on a new shot stopper, underlined by their loan offer.
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Their priority remains getting a deal for Harry Kane over the line but Tuchel is also looking to address other areas. His interest in Kepa comes as a surprise given the Spaniard was very much second choice under the tactician when he was in charge at the Premier League club.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea interacts with Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea after the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on August 01, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Tuchel saw Mendy as his No 1, which left Kepa's minutes at a premium. The German took charge of 63 league games at Stamford Bridge and only handed his second-choice goalkeeper seven starts, even casting doubt over his future shortly before he was sacked in September 2022.
He said last summer: "It depends what he wants and what his plans are. I know that we are very privileged to have Edou and Kepa in our squad but I also know for sure that Kepa is not happy about the situation because he deserved to play more and he can be a very strong number one. He arrived as a number one so the situation is not easy."
Kepa had re-established himself as the club's No 1 following Tuchel's dismissal and he started all but three of the matches under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard. Chelsea have also considered Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili as a replacement.