Former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has been linked with a move for Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Sarri, now in charge at Lazio, is said to be keen to take Kepa to Italy during this month’s transfer window.
Kepa has been relegated to the role of back-up to Edouard Mendy at Chelsea and has been linked with a number of clubs, mostly in his native Spain.
Spanish outlet Diario Sport recently suggested he could end up in Rome if Chelsea are prepared to let him go.
However, The Athletic say that although Sarri is interested in Kepa his wages at Chelsea – reported to be £170,000 a week – are a stumbling block.
Kepa has struggled for form during his time at Stamford Bridge, making a series of high-profile errors.
He did perform very well in the Champions League game against Zenit.
However, despite praising Kepa for his performance, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel later made it clear at a press conference that Mendy remains very much his first choice.
“He (Kepa) is always pushing and is really an example of sportsmanship through and through. I have nothing but praise for him,” Tuchel said.
“He played good and did everything he is capable of producing.
“Every day he is in unbelievable spirit and does not take these decisions (to leave him out) personally and he does what it takes to be on his personal highest level.
“I am absolutely grateful to be his coach and he did very, very well. I am always very sure he will do well because of the way he is and the way he behaves and trains.
“Still, we of course have competition, and the decision is that unless something crazy happens that Edu starts – nothing has changed at the moment for him.”
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