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Football London
Football London
Sport
David Byrom

Chelsea already have the perfect Kepa Arrizabalaga replacement amid Jan Oblak transfer talk

Paul Merson has questioned whether Chelsea need to buy a new goalkeeper this summer.

The Blues have been linked with a number of new goalkeepers following Kepa Arrizabalaga's underwhelming form since his record move from Athletic Bilbao two years ago.

Atletico Madrid star Jan Oblak is said to be Frank Lampard's number one target but Ajax's Andre Onana and Manchester United's Dean Henderson have also been linked.

Yet Merson says the goalkeeper spot should not be a priority for the Blues.

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Arguing that any money they lose on Kepa will make signing a new keeper more costly, Merson said that, in Willy Caballero, they have an underrated second choice who could fill in.

"People talk about the goalkeeper being a priority," Merson said to Sky Sports.

"Kepa Arrizabalaga is not saving them any points at the moment, that's a problem.

"But they have a really good second goalkeeper in Willy Caballero, and I think he is really underrated.

"In this day and age, if we're talking about Jan Oblak, he's going to cost £100m. Kepa himself cost £71m, and has big wages too.

"I'm not sure about this one, as it wouldn't be my major priority for the summer for Chelsea.

"Do they sign another £100m on a goalkeeper, where you've already got a goalkeeper you've spent £71m on, on big money, and you're not going to get that money back?

"It becomes a £150m goalkeeper in the end, because you'd need to swallow the pill on Kepa.

"For me it's not their major priority."

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