Bayern Munich 'add Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to goalkeeping shortlist'

During his five-year stay at Stamford Bridge, Arrizabalaga has not always been regarded as first choice, yet he has still made a total of 163 appearances in all competitions.

As many as 39 of those outings came during 2022-23, the Spaniard regaining the number-one spot, and it appears that he is in line to retain that position for the upcoming campaign.

Newly-appointed head coach Mauricio Pochettino has put his faith in the former Athletic Bilbao stopper, while Arrizabalaga was friends with coach Toni Jimenez before he followed Pochettino to West London.

However, as it stands, Arrizabalaga has just two years remaining on his contract, a situation that owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital tend to resolve with a renewal or a sale.

With the 28-year-old having spent much of pre-season between the sticks, Pochettino will not want to lose his goalkeeper during the current transfer window, even though Robert Sanchez has bene acquired from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Nevertheless, according to SPORT1 reporter Kerry Hau, Tuchel has indicated to the Bayern board that he is interested in bringing Arrizabalaga into his squad.

The pair are no strangers to each other courtesy of their time together at Chelsea, Arrizabalaga largely playing second fiddle to Edouard Mendy during that period.

That said, Tuchel was frequently complimentary about the professionalism of Arrizabalaga during his time at Chelsea, praising his understudy for training to the highest standard possible.

Now, it appears that Tuchel wants to make Arrizabalaga his number one, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano backing up Hau's report by saying that he is a "concrete name" identified by the German.

Bayern and Chelsea are now expected to hold discussions regarding a potential deal, although there is no indication on Arrizabalaga's part that he wants to move to the Bundesliga champions.

With Yann Sommer having signed for Inter Milan and Manuel Neuer still out injured, Tuchel is in need of a new goalkeeper for the foreseeable future, it unclear whether Neuer will reclaim his spot once he has fully recovered from a broken leg.

Sevilla goalkeeper Bounou and Ajax stopper Geronimo Rulli are also allegedly being considered by Tuchel and Bayern.