Maurizio Sarri has identified his former number one at Chelsea, Kepa Arrizabalaga, as an option for Lazio.
Kepa and Sarri shared the same space for one season when the Italian was the Blues’ manager. They won the Europa League in that time, but their time together will be remembered for an on-pitch disagreement that marked the beginning of the Spaniard’s troubles at the club.
Kepa has gone on to explain the whole incident as a big misunderstanding. “I tried to signal that I was OK, that I wasn’t injured. But we were at Wembley in front of more than 80,000 people, so of course Sarri didn’t understand me,” Kepa explained to The Players’ Tribune.
“When the fourth official raised the board, clearly I should have come off, and I’m sorry I didn’t.
“I was wrong, and I am sorry for everyone who was involved: for Maurizio Sarri, who it seemed like I had undermined in public; for Willy (Caballero), a teammate and a great professional; and for all my teammates and Chelsea fans who had to put up with everything – all the noise that was generated during the game and then in the days after.”
Kepa claims that he and Sarri have a good relationship and it looks like they are set for a reunion as Lazio look to free him from the uncomfortable situation he’s in at Chelsea.
Kepa seen as quick fix for Lazio, reports claim
Sport is the outlet making these claims, with the publication stating that the move for Kepa by Lazio and Sarri is geared at helping the club avoid a developing goalkeeper issue in the club.
Lazio’s current two goalkeepers, 39-year-old Pepe Reina and 26-year-old Thomas Strakosha, are both out of contract with Lazio in 2022 with no solution in sight.
Sport reports that a loan deal is what is being considered for the 27-year-old Spaniard who has only appeared five times this season for Chelsea because Thomas Tuchel trusts Édouard Mendy more.
He has been involved in three penalty shootouts this term, however, heling Chelsea to victories against their opponents with his heroic saves.
The loan operation may be a difficult one for Lazio as Chelsea will be losing Mendy to the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon next January and Kepa is the official second choice goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic set to leave Lazio in January
Elsewhere, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could be leaving Lazio in January after his relationship with Sarri hit an all-time low, according to Italian outlet Tuttosport.
The Serbian has been linked with a move away from Lazio for a while now. That move could finally be happening this January as the midfielder has completely fallen out with Sarri.
However, his football has not suffered as both characters have put aside their personal differences to put the club first. Milinkovic-Savic has five goals and five assists in 17 games for Lazio as they chase Champions League football next season.
Manchester United are eyeing the midfielder as Paul Pogba’s replacement and can be a signing that Red Devils’ fans will get behind.
