Chelsea have sold Kepa to Arsenal for £5 million.placeholder image
Chelsea have sold Kepa to Arsenal for £5 million. | Getty Images
Chelsea have seen a first team star leave to strengthen a Premier League rival for just £5 million.
Chelsea paid a staggering £72 million to sign the player from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 and, to this day, that remains the biggest sum of money forked out for a shot stopper. Seven years on, Kepa has quit Stamford bridge for £67 million less than that fee.
If the player was in his late 30s or coming to the end of his career, that minimal fee might be understandable. However, the 30-year-old has just come off the back of a revitalising loan spell at AFC Bournemouth and was one of the league’s most consistent performers last season.
Arsenal bag deal for Chelsea goalkeeper
With that release clause in place, there’s little that Chelsea could do to stop Kepa leaving for Arsenal, but the chiefs at Stamford Bridge are surely tearing their hair out over just how an experienced Premier League star has left for such a loss.
Kepa’s departure does help Chelsea in some ways. Enzo Maresca has too many goalkeepers to choose from, without any really looking like they have the calibre to hold down a number one role without scrutiny. Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and Djordje Petrovic remain at the club with Kepa’s departure at least freeing up some space on the wage bill for incomings.
It’s hard to think of such a low fee in recent history being paid for a player who has won the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup and Club World Cup. It’s a brilliant investment from Arsenal, who needed to replace Neto following his return to AFC Bournemouth after a loan spell.
Gunners learn from injury woes
Kepa is unlikely to oust David Raya from the number one role at the Emirates Stadium but will certainly provide competition. The Gunners are learning their lesson to after injuries last season.
The absences of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka led to Arteta having to play Mikel Merino out of position and fast track Ethan Nwaneri’s progress. Should anything happen to Raya next term, Arteta doesn’t just have a place filler but an experienced champion.
Taking to social media platform X on Wednesday, transfer guru Romano wrote: “Kepa to Arsenal, here we go! Deal done for the Spanish goalkeeper to join #AFC as new backup for David Raya. Arsenal activate £5m clause from Chelsea and all documents are now sealed. One more addition for Arteta after Martin Zubimendi.”
Kepa arrives at Emirates Stadium in high spirits following that loan spell at AFC Bournemouth, during which Andoni Iraola labelled him as ‘amazing’. Speaking about Iraola and the stay, Kepa said: "I had very good references, and his call helped me take the step. I needed to enjoy football again, feel important, and have the opportunity to play every weekend. Being here has allowed me to do that and has been key to rediscovering the passion you seek as a footballer."
In other news, Chelsea transfer roundup: Blues handed affordable £51m release clause boost as attacker determined to join.
Continue Reading