Former Chelsea coach struggling to convince Lazio to sign Kepa

Former Chelsea and now Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri is reportedly struggling to convince the club’s hierarchy to sign the Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Despite impressing when given the opportunities to play at Stamford Bridge this season, Kepa remains a backup to Senegal international Edouard Mendy.

A report had gone viral a few days ago that Chelsea would consider offers for Arrizabalaga should he wish to take on a new challenge in the summer.

According to Il Messaggero, Sarri has informed Lazio officials that he would be interested in bringing his former Blues stopper to Stadio Olimpico.

However, the report added that sporting director Igli Tare would prefer to sign Sergio Rico, the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper who has recently moved to Mallorca on loan.

There are indications that PSG will agree to the deal as they are ready to part ways with Rico for a cut-price fee in the summer, while Chelsea will want to recoup a significant chunk of the £71.6m that they shelled out on Arrizabalaga in 2018, which Lazio wouldn’t want to meet.