There is still enough good feeling towards Kepa Arrizabalaga in for a return to LaLiga to be his best way out of .
But such is the importance of Jan Oblak to Diego Simeone that do not see Kepa’s involvement in any deal, making much of a dent in their £110m asking price for the Slovenian goalkeeper.
Atletico have coped with the departures of both and Thibaut Courtois in the past but Oblak is more highly regarded than those two, for his importance not just to the team, but to the club.
Oblak signed a new contract at Atletico Madrid in April 2019 keeping him in the Spanish capital until 2023 and raising his release clause to £110m.
Atletico are briefing that that figure is not one they see being reduced by the prospect of Chelsea parceling up Kepa and sending him in the opposite direction as they take Oblak.
If Atletico sold Oblak they would need a new keeper and Kepa might be among the alternatives, but not the only one and, not as part of a swap.
If Kepa does not go to Atletico it is difficult to know where he will go.
His current valuation in Spain would be a long way short of the £71.6m Chelsea paid for him despite his status as Spain keeper and the fact that as recently as last September he was making vital saves that ensured his country’s passage to Euro 2020. Continue reading