Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio keen on move for Kepa despite their penalty shootout row at Chelsea

Maurizio Sarri would be ‘delighted to work with Kepa Arrizabalaga again’ as the Lazio manager ‘considers’ a stunning move for the Chelsea goalkeeper despite their Carabao Cup final penalty shootout row

  • Maurizio Sarri is interested in reuniting with Kepa Arrizabalaga at Lazio 
  • The pair were involved in a row during their 2019 Carabao Cup final defeat 
  • Kepa refused Sarri’s instructions to be substituted ahead of a penalty shootout 
  • Lazio are keen to sign a goalkeeper to replace veteran shot stopper Pepe Reina 











Maurizio Sarri is reportedly interested in an extraordinary reunion with his former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga at Lazio.

The Serie A club are keen to sign a new shot stopper to replace 39-year-old veteran Pepe Reina.

Lazio have sounded out Chelsea’s No 2 over a potential move, despite Sarri’s infamous row with the Spaniard during the 2019 Carabao Cup final. 

Maurizio Sarri is keen on a move for his former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga

It comes despite their row at the 2019 Carabao Cup final when Sarri managed Chelsea

It comes despite their row at the 2019 Carabao Cup final when Sarri managed Chelsea

Italian publication Corierre dello Sport have reported that Sarri ‘would be delighted’ to reunite with the Spaniard at his current club.  

Lazio’s manager though would likely have to wait until the summer transfer window before they can make their move.

This is because Chelsea’s No 1 goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, is expected to play with Senegal during the African Cup of Nations in January.  

It’s reported that there were talks over a potential loan move for the Spaniard back in the summer. 

Sarri was furious when Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted ahead of a penalty shootout

Sarri was furious when Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted ahead of a penalty shootout

The Italian nearly stormed down the tunnel after the incident but went back to the touchline

The Italian nearly stormed down the tunnel after the incident but went back to the touchline

Arrizabalaga’s £150,000-a-week wages were an issue for the Italian side however, with it being said that Chelsea would need to continue to pay at least half of his wages for a loan deal to be possible.  

The 27-year-old became the world’s most expensive signing for a goalkeeper when he joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for £71m when Sarri was manager.

He made a solid start at Stamford Bridge but things changed after their 2019 Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City.

Sarri called for the keeper to be replaced by Willy Caballero for the penalty shootout but Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted and remained on the field after gesticulating at his manager. 

Chelsea would go on to lose the final and Arrizabalaga is now Chelsea's backup keeper

Chelsea would go on to lose the final and Arrizabalaga is now Chelsea’s backup keeper

The Italian manager was furious on the touchline and nearly stormed down the tunnel before composing himself and returning to his bench.

Both Arrizabalaga and Sarri have since described the situation as a misunderstanding.  

Arrizabalaga endured a frustrating second season at Stamford Bridge and was eventually replaced as No 1 when Chelsea signed Mendy in the 2020 summer transfer window.