Arsenal are poised to secure the signature of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to The Athletic ‘s David Ornstein.
The trusted journalist claims the Gunners are “close to finalising” a deal for the Spanish international who has a £5m release clause in his contract.
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Kepa signed a new deal last year which extended his stay at Chelsea until 2026, but it also included a modest buyout fee, which Mikel Arteta’s side are set to take advantage of.
The keeper spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Bournemouth, where he impressed as the club’s No.1.
Kepa has earned praise from his manager
The 30-year-old was lauded for his display during the 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford back in December by Cherries boss Andoni Iraola:
“Today, he has been amazing. I think he’s looking very solid, he has done some very good games, the last ones but today he had, apart from the good decisions on the ball, in a backline that is very, very young”
“I think we need this experience like calm, he shows from Adam [Smith], from Lewis Cook, from Kepa to help the other players and apart from that he has very good shot saving, let’s say, but it makes the performance very good.”
Why do Arsenal want the shot-stopper?
The pursuit of Kepa is the consequence of Neto’s return to Bournemouth and the failure to land top target Joan Garcia. The Espanyol no.1 is expected to make the controversial cross-city switch to Barcelona instead.
Kepa, meanwhile, is said to be content with being understudy to David Raya if and he when he completes his move to the Emirates. He has performed such duties in the past, having been second choice to Eduoard Mendy at Chelsea and Andriy Lunin at Real Madrid.
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