Real Madrid Transfer News: Blancos in for Kepa Arrizabalaga Amid Arsenal Rumours
Real Madrid will go up against Premier League powerhouse Arsenal in their hunt to sign Athletic Bilbao youngsterย Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to latest reports.
The young goalkeeper is currently on loan at Segunda Division outfit Real Valladolid, and Spanish website Don Balon reported the Gunners have already scouted the 21-year-old this season (h/tย Metro's Will Giles).
Los Merengues have relied on Costa Rica international Keylor Navas to guard their goal this season, but the Spaniards engaged in a public pursuit of Manchester United stopper David De Gea last summer.
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The club may have since altered its perception of Navas, who has been impressive since claiming the No. 1 jersey, butย Arrizabalaga is one of the most highly rated young stoppers in Spain at present.
The Spain under-21 international has started in all but two of Valladolid's 24 league games this season, keeping eight clean sheets in the process.
Arsenal could pose stiff competition for Los Blancos, butย Arrizabalaga could struggle to turn down a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, and Real Madrid have past history when it comes to recruiting Spain's top young talents.
Kiko Casilla currently sits behind Navas, 29, in the Real Madrid goalkeeper order, but the club could be convinced to add another youngster to its ranks should he be tempted away from Athletic.
Ex-Premier League goalkeeper and ESPN FC presenter Shaka Hislop had high words of praise for the Central American stopper following his display in Saturday's 4-2 win over Los Leones:
Arrizabalaga would most likely not contend for Real's starting spot if he were to arrive at the Bernabeu this summer, but Navas could serve as a valuable mentor for the prodigious talent.
ESPN's John Brewin even suggested it should have been Navas who was elected CONCACAF Male Goalkeeper of the Year, not United States and Everton keeper Tim Howard:
Owing to last year's hunt to sign De Gea, Real may regret not recruiting the Spain No. 1 before he made the move to Old Trafford.
The Madrid titans could go a long way toward making up for that miss if they were to landย Arrizabalaga and, in turn, sign one of Spain's brightest up-and-coming prospects.
