Arsenal are close to concluding a transaction with Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga that totals £5 million. The Spanish international is intended to be the contest for David Raya at Emirates Stadium.
Gunners have been searching for a new backup keeper after Neto’s loan from Bournemouth expired. Espanyol’s Joan García, their initial target, now looks set for Barcelona, so they rushed to get Kepa instead.
The Athletic reported that Arsenal took action immediately after they found out that Kepa’s contract with Chelsea had a release clause of £5 million. The Blues pushed for a sale of the 29- year-old player this summer instead of losing him as a free transfer next year.
After being the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, due to a £71.6 million transfer from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, Kepa had a rough time at Stamford Bridge. He was replaced in the starting lineup and went on ride with Real Madrid in the 2023–24 season before coming back strong at Bournemouth.
Arsenal believe that his recent good performance and his professional approach make this move a low-risk investment for them. Kepa has reportedly agreed to Mikel Arteta’s plan of rotation and therefore is willing to stay in North London if he can regain his best form.
