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Juventus have identified Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as the man to guard their posts for the future ahead of a summer rebuild, a report claims.

Kepa has struggled for gametime at Chelsea since they signed Edouard Mendy in 2020. The Senegal international has been far more consistent than his Spanish counterpart was in his couple of years as first choice.

Consequently, Kepa has been limited to just four Premier League appearances so far this season. Last season, he only started six league games too.

It is beginning to look like his future will lie away from Chelsea if they are cleared to sell players in time for the summer. That depends on whether a takeover of the club goes through in time.

Should that occur, then Kepa could be on the market. According to Spanish source Fichajes, Chelsea will put him on the “exit ramp” and Juventus could be the ones to take him.

The report claims that the Serie A side considered him as a successor to Gianluigi Buffon before opting for Wojciech Szczesny instead back in 2017.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper did well to start with, but now finds his own role at risk. Juventus are planning a summer revolution to get back among the elite.

Szczesny is someone they could upgrade upon – and they believe Kepa is worth making a move for.

At 27 years old, he is approaching his prime years, so would not want to spend them on the bench. Chelsea still have him under contract until 2025, but may be best off cutting their losses.

Juventus to beat Newcastle to Kepa?

Kepa has recently been linked with Newcastle United, who are also aiming to find a new number one. But he could end up playing behind a different set of players in black-and-white if he chooses Juventus instead.

Moving to Italian football would be a new experience for the former Athletic Bilbao goalie. But Juventus feel he would be well equipped, which is why Fichajes are backing them to make one of the “outstanding movements” of the Serie A transfer window this summer.

It is not clear how much Chelsea may ask for Kepa. They are unlikely to recoup the £72m fee they spent on him in 2018.

Juventus may have to make some significant investments, though, to get back where they want to be. After winning nine Serie A titles in a row, they relinquished their crown last season and are unlikely to retain it this term.

With six games to go, they are six points off top spot, sat in fourth place. Their fixtures look favourable, but a recent loss to reigning champions Inter Milan may have knocked their confidence.

To compete again, they will want to strengthen in all areas – and that could include Kepa.

READ MORE: Burgeoning Chelsea star ‘passed Real Madrid exam with flying colours’

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