A former Premier League shot-stopper has cast doubt on Kepa Arrizabalaga's intentions as he appears poised for a switch to Arsenal.
Chelsea's Kepa is reported to be in the Gunners' sights during the summer transfer window, with a £5million deal on the cards following a successful loan stint at Bournemouth this term. The 30-year-old Spaniard made his mark as the Cherries' top choice between the sticks, notching up eight clean sheets in 31 outings.
However, it seems he's deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, clearing the path for his relocation to north London. Kepa set a record as the most expensive goalkeeper ever when he inked a deal with Chelsea in 2018, making the leap from Athletic Bilbao for a huge £72m.
Despite this, he struggled to justify the hefty fee and lost his spot in the squad before being loaned out to Real Madrid for the 2023/24 season. It's understood that Arsenal have long held an interest in Kepa, but David Raya is firmly established as Mikel Arteta's No. 1. And former Manchester United keeper Ben Foster has questioned whether Kepa has the ability to displace his compatriot.
Foster, whose career also included spells at Watford and Wrexham, suggested that Kepa might be settling for a return to the bench if he agrees to join the Gunners after casting aspersions on his reliability. Speaking on his 'Fozcast' podcast, Foster said: "It's crazy at the age of 30, but it's almost like he's signalled that his playing days are over.
"He's happy playing second fiddle, where he knows he might play 10 games a season for the next five years. It's a surprising one, because he's re-established himself as a number one, a good-to-go, bona fide Premier League number one starting goalkeeper.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa could be about to leave Chelsea to join Arsenal (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
"By signing for Arsenal, I think he can say to the people around him or to the wider world, 'Listen, I'm going there to compete and try and be the number one.' But I think deep down, he knows why he's going there.
"He's not good enough to be near Raya and I think Arsenal know that as well. They're signing a very capable back-up goalkeeper, but somebody that probably isn't going to be reliable at that level."
Despite raising doubts over Kepa's intentions, Foster believes the arrangement can still be mutually beneficial for both parties. He suggested the keeper could earn a considerable six-figure weekly wage as Arsenal's back-up choice.
He added: "He will suit that style of football where they like to play the ball out from the back a little bit more. You'd imagine he's still going to be on £100,000 a week, or something like that. Who are we to judge that?
"If he hasn't got that drive and that will to want to be a number one week in, week out in the Premier League, then fair play to him. It's a nice place to be a number two."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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