Kepa Arrizabalaga: How Much Real Madrid Will Save After Deciding GK Will Return to Chelsea

• Real Madrid have reportedly decided Kepa Arrizabalaga will return to Chelsea
• The Spanish goalkeeper was brought in as a cover for the injured Thibaut Courtois
• He has lost his starting spot to second-choice Andriy Lunin after poor outings

Chelsea will have more departures to deal with at the end of the season after Real Madrid reportedly decided they would not make a permanent loan move for one of their players.

Madrid signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan to provide cover between the sticks when their first choice, Thibaut Courtois, suffered an ACL injury.

The Spaniard ditched a reunion with former boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich and returned to his home country of Spain, where he previously played for Athletic Bilbao.

The Blues have Robert Sanchez, signed from Brighton and Hove Albion and Djordje Petrovic, signed from MLS franchise New England Revolution as options between the sticks.

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How much Madrid will save on Kepa

According to Relevo, Los Blancos have decided the 29-year-old will return to England in the summer as they will not be making the move permanent even though they have no option of such, per an official statement from Chelsea.

The former Bilbao star has had questionable moments between the sticks for the 14-time European champions and lost his place to Ukrainian goalie Andriy Lunin.

Lunin was preferred in goal for the 4-1 Spanish Super Cup win over rivals Barcelona in Saudi Arabia after an error-filled 5-3 semifinal win over Atletico Madrid.

Per Planet Football, the Spanish giants will save £7.7 million in wages with the decision to allow the 2021 UEFA Champions League winner to return to England.

He will now explore his options away from Stamford Bridge as he is unlikely to have a place in the team, with the Blues keen to have big-wage stars off the books.

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Carlo Ancelotti defends Kepa

Sports Brief previously reported on Carlo Ancelotti defending Kepa after the goalkeeper’s gaffe allowed a goal in the 3-2 win over Napoli in the Champions League.

The Italian boss made a hilarious analogy that the keeper struggles with crosses because he is not perfect, the same way the 64-year-old manager is not despite being very handsome.