Transfer Rumors: New Lazio Boss Leaves Past Behind, Eyes Disgruntled Goalkeeper

KEY POINTS

Maurizio Sarri could reunite with Kepa Arrizabalaga at SS Lazio soon
Sarri considers getting Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on loan
Chelsea reportedly wants to clear some financial space in the summer

Maurizio Sarri plans to whip things up over in S.S. Lazio, and part of those plans is to get a proven goalkeeper.

Taking over from Simone Inzaghi recently, it appears the 62-year-old has his eyes on Chelsea shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Sarri and Arrizabalaga have a history together, particularly during the 2019 EFL Cup.

At the time, Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted by Willy Caballero despite suffering from cramps.

This angered Sarri and led to pundits allege that the coach’s authority was diminishing.

But after several years, that controversial scene seems to have died down. Sarri left Chelsea that same year and then moved to Juventus.

Sarri agreed to a two-year deal with Lazio just last week.

The seasoned pitch mentor knows that Arrizabalaga is a talent that could help any team, a reason why he is considering the Spanish goalkeeper for next season.

It is likely to be a loan deal that would require the club to pay 50% of Arrizabalaga’s £150,000 ($162,330)-per-week salary.

For Arrizabalaga’, the deal would make sense. He has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge behind Edouard Mendy.

Also, it is no secret that the Blues are open to deals involving the 26-year-old player who struggled under the regime of Frank Lampard.

Thomas Tuchel has taken over since then, but the fortunes of the world’s most expensive goalkeeper hardly changed.

Arrizabalaga was handed a £71 million ($100 million) deal when he arrived in 2018.

The goalie has only played seven times in the English Premier League this season. Costly errors at the start placed him in a spot.

Furthermore, most questioned if he was worth the big money being paid to him and little has been heard about the Spaniard.

Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for £72m. In this picture, Arrizabalaga warms up before the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Spain and Morocco at the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, June 25, 2018. OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images

Regardless, it has always been known that Chelsea was looking to shed off some numbers in its financials.

With most teams tightening their belts, the only plausible route was to deal Arrizabalaga out on loan.

SS Lazio and Sarri appear to be willing to take that gamble. Putting aside their odd history, a reunion on a different team could work to the advantage of both figures.