Chelsea will reportedly be forced to break the bank if they decide to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga with Juan Musso in the summer.
The 25-year-old Spaniard became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he moved to Stamford Bridge from Athletic Bilbao for £72million in 2018, but the Blues are on the hunt for a new No. 1 after Frank Lampard lost faith in Kepa after a string of high-profile errors this season.
Having dropped Kepa, Lampard has since reinstated the stopper, who has rewarded the Chelsea boss with some solid displays – but that has not stopped the rumours that the Blues will look for an upgrade instead.
Kepa himself has been linked with a return to Spain at Real Madrid, while Chelsea are reportedly in the hunt for the likes of Jan Oblak, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andre Onana and Dean Henderson.
All four of those are expected to cost upwards of £50m, while Udinese ace Musso was considered a more affordable option with a valuation of just £27m.
However, Musso’s agent has now suggested that the 25-year-old could also command a huge fee – along the lines of what Kepa, Thibaut Courtois and Gianluigi Donnarumma at AC Milan would cost.
Speaking to Calciomercato (via the Sunday Express), Vicente Montes places Musso among the top three goalkeepers in Serie A alongside Samir Handanovic and Donnarumma and claims his client is destined to move to a big European team.
When asked to confirm whether Inter Milan had made contact over a move, Montes said: “Confirming something today would be irresponsible.
“However, we must recognize that several teams from various leagues are following him closely.
“It is obvious that, with his age, with two seasons in Europe behind him, with an Italian passport, demonstrating quality and professionalism, Musso is destined to become the goalkeeper of a great European team.”
Montes also revealed that some unnamed Serie A sporting directors have asked about Musso, and is of the opinion that the Udinese stopper should be valued in the same price bracket as his potential predecessor in west London Kepa.
“Goalkeepers have acquired great value in the market given their great importance in the current game and if you analyse the ten best goalkeepers in the world, nobody will reach 30 years [old],” he added.
“It is obvious that Juan will be the goalkeeper of a great European in the near future.
“The value on the market is something so relative. If Kepa cost Chelsea €80m (£74m), Courtois more or less the same amount and Donnarumma is €100m (£92m), how much is Juan Musso worth?”
Montes’ figures are not exactly bang-on, with Kepa costing slightly less than £74m while Courtois reportedly only set Real Madrid back £35m and Donnarumma is valued at just under £50m on Transfermarkt.co.uk.
But those comments do suggest Musso will not be available as cheaply as Chelsea would hope, although his contract at Udinese does expire in 2021.
Meanwhile, Philippe Coutinho’s desperation for a return to England has reportedly sparked interest from four top Premier League sides.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are all said to have enquired about the Brazilian playmaker’s availability at the end of this season. Read more…
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