Kepa Arrizabalaga suggests he does not want Chelsea return

The 28-year-old was expected to start the 2023-24 campaign as Chelsea's number one, but he eventually made the move to Real Madrid on loan.

Bayern Munich had been in advanced talks over a deal for the stopper, but Real Madrid entered the goalkeeping market when Thibaut Courtois picked up a serious knee injury.

Kepa has claimed that he was "close" to making the move to Munich before Carlo Ancelotti's entered the race.

The Spaniard also said that Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed a desire to keep him, but he was keen "for a change of scenery" after the team's struggles last season.

"It's true that Pochettino wanted me to stay and he told me that I was going to play, that he trusted me, but I thought that a change would be good for me, I wanted a change. Thomas Tuchel called me. We were close to going to Munich," Kepa told Marca.

"I felt it was time for a change of scenery. I wanted to stay, but I felt that the project was not the right one... When Madrid calls you, everything changes. My signing was closed in just a few hours and a couple of calls."

Meanwhile, speaking last month, Kepa said that he was hopeful of remaining with Real Madrid beyond the end of his loan spell, which is due to expire next June.

"I really hope Real Madrid will keep me at the end of the season," he said. "The decision has been very easy. I had other important offers but Real Madrid is Real Madrid. When Real Madrid wanted me everything was clear.

"Spanish players always talk about Real Madrid during the international break. Everything about this club is spectacular."

However, Courtois is set to return next year, meaning that a permanent move for Kepa is unlikely unless the Spaniard is willing to accept being a number two.

The Spaniard, who became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when he moved to Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018, has two years left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Kepa has largely struggled to impress during his time at Stamford Bridge, but he finished last season as the club's number one ahead of Edouard Mendy.

The goalkeeper has featured twice for Real Madrid since his arrival, and he is now seen as the club's number one ahead of Andriy Lunin while Courtois is on the sidelines.