Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Kepa Arrizabalaga is open to leaving Arsenal this summer, despite Mikel Arteta making it clear that he wants to keep him at the Emirates.
AS report on the 31-year-old Spanish goalkeeper today and a potential exit from the Premier League champions.
Thinking of Arsenal exit
The newspaper reports that, according to their information, Kepa is considering leaving Arsenal in search of a team who will make him their number one. To do so, he would have to negotiate with the Gunners.
They state that the Arsenal number two ‘wants more’ despite a first season with the Gunners that saw him win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final.
He only played a small part in that success, though, playing just over 1000 minutes across 12 games in all competitions. And that is why he is open to leaving Arsenal this summer. A departure is ‘an idea on his mind’ at this point in the summer.
That is not to say he is unhappy. Far from it. AS insist that he is happy at the Emirates and Mikel Arteta has made it clear that he is counting on him as well.
Arsenal negotiations needed
The idea of finding a club where he can start as first-choice, as was the case at Bournemouth, is one that is on his mind. For now, there are no formal offers on the table. There are only talks regarding a possible move.
That could change once the World Cup is finished. Any exit may be complicated by a need for negotiations with Arsenal. A previous £5m release clause has now expired. Arsenal would not, necessarily, stand in his way but would want compensation from any exit.
The feeling is that they would want to target another goalkeeper, despite the signing of Ilan Meslier earlier this summer. For now, they and Kepa are waiting to see what bids may arrive first.