Premier League club Bournemouth will face a roadblock in the bid to complete a permanent move for 30-year-old goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, on loan from Chelsea.
According to a report by MARCA, as relayed by Sport Witness, Kepa Arrizabalaga has revived his career since joining Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. So, it is hardly surprising that the Cherries want a permanent deal for the 30-year-old goalkeeper. However, he wants to return to Stamford Bridge next summer.
Kepa Arrizabalaga and his renaissance
Kepa Arrizabalaga has gone from strength to strength since joining Bournemouth from Chelsea in a season-long loan deal in the summer transfer window. The Spaniard was in limbo after his temporary stint with Real Madrid ended when the 2023/24 season culminated.
However, Bournemouth rescued the 30-year-old from obscurity, with the experienced shot-stopper becoming a dependable figure between the sticks. Kepa has turned out ten times thus far for the Premier League club while keeping two clean sheets and conceding 15 goals.
Meanwhile, Kepa’s exploits for Bournemouth have not gone unnoticed, compelling the Premier League club to seek a permanent move heading into the 2025 summer transfer window. However, the Spanish goalkeeper has other ideas, and he will prioritise returning to Chelsea before taking a call on his long-term future.
What next?
It is understandable why Kepa Arrizabalaga wants to return to Chelsea in the summer transfer window before deciding on his next move. The move to Bournemouth has revived the former Athletic Club goalkeeper, and the Cherries are on the up under the tutelage of Andoni Iraola. However, the Spaniard has bigger aspirations, considering he might want UEFA Champions League football.
So, Bournemouth will face a considerable obstacle in the bid to complete a permanent move for Kepa in the 2025 summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the report has suggested that Andoni Iraola was instrumental in taking the Chelsea loanee to the Vitality Stadium in the summer transfer window.
So, the Bournemouth manager will be critical to take the 30-year-old Spanish goalkeeper back to the Vitality Stadium next year. It will be interesting to see where Kepa’s career takes him in the 2025 summer transfer window.