Towards the end of the summer window, Chelsea allowed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to join AFC Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal.
The Spain international has been a regular under Andoni Iraola this season, keeping two clean sheets and conceding 15 goals from 10 league starts.
As a part of the loan deal, Bournemouth don’t have an option or obligation to make the Chelsea owned player’s stay permanent.
Last week, we covered claims from Spain which stated the Cherries will make an offer to buy the stopper from Chelsea. Tuesday’s edition of Marca relays this and then gives their own take on this case.
At this point in time, the newspaper states the 30-year-old’s idea is to return to Chelsea after his temporary spell at Bournemouth. Therefore, it is ‘difficult’ for the Cherries to buy him after this season.
Marca add Iraola’s side could still want to buy the goalkeeper, but his desire, for now, is to return to Chelsea, where he has a contract until 2026.
The report states Iraola was instrumental in his compatriot’s arrival on loan from Chelsea and the manager has to convince Kepa if Bournemouth are to retain him.