Ipswich Town FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League
Kepa Arrizabalaga has played 10 games for AFC Bournemouth to date (Picture: Getty)
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s stance on a potential permanent exit from Chelsea has been revealed ahead of the January window, according to reports.
The 30-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at AFC Bournemouth after the Cherries allowed Neto to join Arsenal in a temporary switch.
Chelsea had no problem with offloading Kepa, with Enzo Maresca favouring Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen as his two goalkeepers.
Spain international ‘keeper Kepa – who cost Chelsea a record £71.6m in 2018 – is under contract at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2026.
But he does not seem to have much of a future in west London, with Chelsea having also sent him out on loan last season to Real Madrid.
Reports in Spain indicate Bournemouth are interested in a permanent deal for Kepa, who has played 10 games for Andoni Iraola’s side to date, helping them climb to their impressive current position of eighth in the top-flight.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, though, Kepa does not currently want a permanent move to Bournemouth and wishes to return to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell.
Ipswich Town FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League
Andoni Iraola wants to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga permanently (Picture: Getty)
It is currently thought to be ‘difficult’ for Bournemouth to land Kepa permanently – but it is not beyond the realms of possibility – with Cherries boss Iraola hoping to change the mind of his fellow Spaniard.
Speaking earlier this season, when Bournemouth beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium, Kepa declared that Iraola was one of the best managers in the entire Premier League.
‘He’s one of the best coaches in the league, and this is the strongest league, which says a lot about him,’ Kepa said.
‘You have a mix of coaches and a mix of styles in the Premier League, but the team is very much in tune with what the coach wants and we are lucky to have a manager like him.
‘I’m very proud to be part of this team and for our people who came to see us play against Arsenal, they can see our spirit and we gave them a beautiful evening.’
According to reports, Kepa took a 50 per cent wage cut when he moved to Bournemouth on loan in August.
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